Les voies d'accès au mont Royal (Camillien-Houde / Remembrance)

I consider it acceptable under all conditions to allow through-traffic on the Mountain.
Truncating the route means diverting traffic to the few alternative grossly- overcrowded east-west roads. It puts off tourists as well as Montrealers who find the Camillien-Houde Way and Rembrance Road a beautiful and convenient way to cross the Mountain. When the road was closed to through through traffic, I never went to to stores east of the Mountain, thus depriving the merchants of income.
I think all users of the Mountain should be equally protected to ensure their safety.
Promote the use of public transit to, through and from the Mountain with advertisements on buses, the Metro, in
English and French newspapers, including surburban newspapers, on TV and on radio.
Install traffic lights to allow right and left turns from the Camillien-Houde lookout.
Protect the flora and fauna with fenced paths leaving room at the bottom of the fences for animals to walk under. However, if there are deer on the Mountain, suggest putting up prominent signs and having more park rangers patrol the Mountain. Fence off areas that are most vulnerable to damage from humans.
My main message is DON'T CLOSE THE ROAD TO THROUGH TRAFFIC.
On another subject, it would be helpful to have in English the permission section below the identification section section to do whatever is required.

Dear Committee Members, I have enjoyed our mountain for almost every year of my 64 years. The past 6 months have denied me my beautiful drive through the mountain, either to stop at the chalet and Beaver Lake or to gaze at the wonderful view of the city on the other side. I have been a professional artist for 40 years. Beaver Lake and its environs have been a faithful subject for me, and have given me a sense of beauty and pride in our Montreal. (www.lyndasg.ca) But the closing of the drive- through has left me bereft. Aside from that feeling of driving through the country side and feeling a sense of calm transform me, the other side of the mountain - the shops and restaurants and my yoga studio,for example, have missed my presence. So my regular business from my Westmount to the Mount Royal and Laurier and St. Laurent areas has been lost. I imagine this is so for many people living in my area and beyond.
If safety is a concern, and of course it should be - since horrific accidents have occurred on Camillien- Houde and nearby, then more prominent road signs and speed bumps and slimmer road ways, etc., should be put in order. There are many ways to do this and many studies that can guide you. Block u-turn access for example. Separate and distinct bike road paths with short wall enclosures can be created. I am not cognizant of parking issues (which the mountain has on the weekends), but I could suggest a reconfiguration of the parking parameters on the weekend, perhaps with the idea that the drive through the mountain be re-routed on the weekends. And so the question arises of whether the drive-through should be curtailed on the weekends, and go back to normal on the week days. I am still questioning this alternative...I am not sure whether this is a good idea or not. I do know that banning the drive -through has been an abject failure on the part of the consensus of people I have spoken to. It seems as though public opinion against the ban has failed to resonate with the committee or government spokespeople involved. It seems, and I say this only with an intuitive feeling, since I am not politically involved at all (art transcends politics!) that the ban on the drive -through was a complete surprise, and met with a fiercely negative reaction. While I understand this government's mandate is to increase green spaces and decrease car traffic, there is always a happy medium to be considered... and to go from one extreme to another is self defeating, in my opinion. Nurture the beauty of our mountain, of course!, but do not deny our access to one of our golden characteristics of Montreal...driving through that gorgeous rock hewn road to venture beyond... to the other side. I also want to underscore how grateful and proud I am of this opportunity to express my opinion in this forum. I had no idea it had existed until a short while ago so accept my thanks in reading this. Lynda.

The status quo is the best - NO road closures ever....Thanks

Please keep Mount Royal open to through-traffic.

Our mountain is one of the most beautiful and unique features of Montreal. Not only is the road through the mountain a must for most visitors to our city, but it is also an opportunity for citizens to relax as they drive slowly through the mountain pass and see the wide vistas of our city and surroundings, which are different throughout the year. It actually has a calming affect on most drivers, which has added benefits to the driver and to the general population. Nature has a calming affect on the soul.

People with limited mobility enjoy being driven over the mountain, as do children.

In addition, closing the mountain road to access av. du Parc or Cote des Neiges, contributes to an already insane traffic flow problem. It is never a blocked road.

Closing it to safeguard a minority of users who are cyclists does not seem right. Better measures to protect cyclists could be instituted without a huge cost and the inconvenience and lack of fairness for everyone else seems unjust.

I am a cyclist as well as a driver and I do like to use this road with both. Like many other roads in the city, as well as around the world, this road must be shared and enjoyed by all user.
Put whatever safety measure necessary in place but do not exclude any one group.

Ayant déjà (1) signé une requête, (2) rempli le questionnaire de l'OCPM et (3) participer à la reunion de l'OCPM le 8 novembre, j'ai déjà exprimé mon opinion et reflexions CONTRE ce projet pilot ainsi que la fêrmeture permanente possible des voies d'accès à Mont Royal.

Je ne peux que réiiterer toutes les raisons déjà élaborées longement et à plusieurs reprises par moi-même et par d'autres citoyens montréalais contre cette follie.

I am completely opposed to the closure of chemin Remembrance to cars. It is unnecessary and inappropriate.

There exists an easy and simple solution to the "problem" of cars making u-turns at the belvedere Camillien-Houde: simply remove the parking lot.

During the closure of mountain road, it made access to the cemetery, very difficult . To visit, to plant flowers, & finally to maintain the grave sites.
Access from Côté des Neiges was not possible. Accessing the cemetery from Outremont was time consuming, traffic wise ! And orange cone wise confusing.
I am a senior widow, who used to visit my husband’s grave regularly during the summer. Mayor Valerie Plante made that very difficult, this summer. The whole cemetery suffered from lack of gardening relatives !
Please open the road, & keep in open for relatives, who wish to visit deceased relatives & friends.
Beverley Hutchison, Kitchener Avenue, Westmount.

Closing the road is a very bad idea. I used to bring visitors across the mountain to Beaver lake and then drive on to St Joseph Oratory.

We are shutting off the mountain for a few cyclists is a dis service to all other citizens.

If needed, any not put a median down the centre of the road to separate the traffic lanes.

thanks

James Shearing

It's sad to be cut off east to west and west to east on this beautiful road. Driving over the mountain is a way to share this treasure with so many and also maintains the unity of the city rather than dividing it. During the pilot project it was very difficult to take in the full beauty of the park. Going from the west the parking is very far from the Belvedere and from the east very far from the Pavillon. The impetus for this pilot project was indeed sad but the proposed solution is needlessly severe. Once the road reopened in November, my husband and I drove through the road from east to west and took note of the situation. The signage is virtually non-existent as to how to get to the lookout if you are driving from the east. Also, there is no reason not to have the road barriers running all the way along Camille Houde so there is no confusion. Enforcing a low speed limit (including bicycles) and facilitating traffic with clear signage will go just as far to solve the problem rather than blocking access to so many. I don't understand how the pilot project could have been declared a success.

It enrages me that the Plante administration believes that by making the mountain inaccessible to many they are actually making it more accessible! Making it difficult for most people to access the mountain is especially unfair to those who have the most difficulty accessing it or who need to use the road the most, including families with young children, handicapped people, elderly and also people wanting to visit the cemeteries.

I think through traffic should be allowed on the mountain and not banned at all. The mountain is a jewel in Montreal which offers a unique opportunity for both Montrealers and tourists to drive over and appreciate the peaceful and magnificent view! It offers a hiatus even if only for a few minutes which is a treasure the Plante administration has no right to take away simply because they want to make the mountain more accessible to elite cyclists.

If the Plante administration is truly banning access for safety reasons then they should install safety features such as a protected lane for cyclists, and/or a barrier in the middle of the road so that cars cannot make U-Turns.

The parking situation with the road closed is also enraging and nonsensical with not enough spaces in the lower parking lot and no direct accessibility to the upper parking lot.

I think the idea of a shuttle is nonsense. Part of what is/was so pleasant about the mountain is its accessibility: it was not burdensome to go for a picnic, a walk, skating or cross-country skiing. It does not make any sense to add a shuttle or any other hindrance which makes easy and convenient access complicated.

The pretext being used for limiting traffic that the road is unsafe, or having cars drive over is environmentally unfriendly is a sham! Furthermore the families who use the mountain the most are the ones who can least afford country houses and if they have to drive around the mountain in order to get to the preferred parking lot to do the activity they are seeking, it only adds pollution.

The only thing the Plante administration is achieving is to make it difficult for Montrealers to access and use a beautiful park we all have a right to use and enjoy.

As a member of the youth, I believe that I have the right to a green space with animals, birds, and insects where I can go to be peaceful and hear the sounds of nature. The Camilien-Houde road that crosses the Mont-Royal robs me of this right by replacing bird songs with the sound of car motors. The mountain has been very important to me since a young age. When I was a baby, my mother brought me running with her in the cemetery, I learned to skate on the Lac des Castors rink, I learned to cross-country ski there and as a teenager, I run there regularly. To me, a mountain is a peaceful place where I should feel safe. Unfortunately, with cars crossing at great speed, I feel extremely unsafe to go to the Mount-Royal by myself or with my dog. This feeling of unsafety has multiplied since the multiple accidents that have taken place there, including the death of 18-year-old Clément Ouimet. Cars are a huge danger to bikers, runners and walkers and for that reasons, I believe that the Camilien-Houde road should be closed indefinitely.

Olivia Ruge
16 year old

It is time that we start to take meaningful action towards protecting our environment. Mont Royal needs to be closed to traffic for the protection of wildlife and for the safety of the children and adults that want to actively enjoy the mountain.

The mountain is an incredibly important green space that is the lungs of our city. This very small forest is the home of
the few remaining insects, birds and small animals still able to survive in our city. I am a frequent user of the Mont Royal. I pass over the mountain to get from my home in Outremont to the Glen Hospital. I run there most days. We take our kids to skate and ski there. I frequently bike there for pleasure or as a means of transport. But however inconvenient it may seem, the road should be closed to through traffic at all times. And consideration should be given to closing the route entirely except for public transport, cyclists and pedestrians.

It is shocking when you run or cycle to see the number of birds and animals dead on the road. This is one of the few urban forests remaining. The use of Camille-Houde as a thorough fare increases numbers and speed of vehicles. The impact on the species trying to survive in this small, very important forest is very large.

It can be very tempting to use the mountain as a short cut. The truth is we can arrive almost as quickly by metro or by bike. When the hour or weather make it difficult to use these methods, there are other routes that do not disturb the very small and precious wildlife that remain in our city.

We need to move forward to protect wildlife, ensure green spaces and provide safe urban spaces- even if our car dependent population find it inconvenient.
Sincerely
Dr. K. Martin
MUHC

More and more, Mayor Plante thinks that her policies of going green are helping the population at large. This is false.

Many cyclists state that the hills are too steep for general cycling.

Handicapped people complain that they cannot use the mountain at all because they are forced to walk too far away from their cars.

Also, there are serious problems for people who want to visit the graves of their loved ones.

I would like to remind Mayor Plante that she is supposed to represent all of the population of Montreal and not just cyclists wanting to Camilien Houde and Remembrance Roads.

I am against this project. the city should allow through-traffic. This is part of the city and belongs to everyone equally. This is essential to reduce traffic and commute time. Many people suffered when the access was restricted. Cyclists and cars share the roads everywhere in the city. Why should it be a problem on |Mont-Royal?Please do not allow this project to become permanent. we need this access to make our life a tiny bit easier. thank you !

Through traffic is a must this is a central route for many with alternative roads subject to more traffic and delays. However safety is a must. Slow down traffic by adding stop signs add barriers to avoid uturns add camera surerlliance to make sure the rules are followed. No free pass for cyclists who also must follow rules and speed limits. Bombing den the road atte same speed as cars is not safe. Lastly asking people for their opinion after the fact is clearly not the way Project Montreal presented it vision during the election. They need to do better

Private vehicle through- traffic should be restored through Camilien Houde way and Remembrance road.
I don't recommend any restrictions be placed on the through traffic.
The access should allow for the natural ebb and flow of traffic as families, elderly, cyclists, naturalists etc. all have different needs and due to seasonal constraints, it will all balance out.
It is very important that access be restored and we are not kept away from out mountain nor from crossing our mountain.
Thank you

Private vehicle through- traffic should be restored through Camilien Houde way and Remembrance road.
I don't recommend any restrictions be placed on the through traffic.
The access should allow for the natural ebb and flow of traffic as families, elderly, cyclists, naturalists etc. all have different needs and due to seasonal constraints, it will all balance out.
It is very important that access be restored and we are not kept away from out mountain nor from crossing our mountain.
Thank you

Private vehicle through- traffic should be restored through Camilien Houde way and Remembrance road.
I don't recommend any restrictions be placed on the through traffic.
The access should allow for the natural ebb and flow of traffic as families, elderly, cyclists, naturalists etc. all have different needs and due to seasonal constraints, it will all balance out.
It is very important that access be restored and we are not kept away from out mountain nor from crossing our mountain.
Thank you

Private vehicle through- traffic should be restored through Camilien Houde way and Remembrance road.
I don't recommend any restrictions be placed on the through traffic.
The access should allow for the natural ebb and flow of traffic as families, elderly, cyclists, naturalists etc. all have different needs and due to seasonal constraints, it will all balance out.
It is very important that access be restored and we are not kept away from out mountain nor from crossing our mountain.
Thank you

I am in favour of measures preventing, or at least discouraging, through-traffic on Mount Royal. I am also in favour of keeping it accessible for visitors, especially the young, elderly, and disabled.

The Pilot Project this past summer was effective in reducing traffic but it didn't really make the Camillien-Houde road safer for cyclists as it still enabled u-turns. A better approach would be to construct a completely separate passage (with Jersey barricades from top to bottom) to protect cyclists. With the exception of the stretch facing the lookout, the road is wide enough for this.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

I have watched cyclists use Mount Royal Cemetery and Remembrance Road as their personal Grand Prix of Cycling. Cyclists, pedestrians and drivers need to learn to work together and respect each other. That means educating all three groups. I look after six grave sites at Mount Royal Cemetery. They are all located just off the east gate - access by Remembrance Road. This year I did not do my job and that makes me sad and angry. To drive around the mountain and create more pollution is not the answer. Surely, by significantly lowering the speed limit for BOTH cyclists and drivers, access to Mount Royal and Mount Royal Cemetery could be made pleasurable for all.

Sincerely,
Anda Kajaks

Hello,

I would like to state that I am strongly against any road closures on the mountain. I find it completely discriminates against me and those like me that use the mountain pass daily to go to work and return. This passage is a time and energy saver and by blocking it, I feel that it violates my freedoms in exchange for a small lobbyist group made up of cyclists that use the passage for entertainment and fitness purposes. I live on one side of the mountain and I work on the other side. It is completely useless to have me go around the mountain for the sake of cyclists and thus causing me 30 to 45 minutes of delay and frustration. Here are reasons against the closure:

1) The closure forces cars to have to use a very busy passage through the University of Montreal (Edouard Montpetit and Vincent D'Indy intersection and has a heavy presence of students that cross the street at all times of the day. . (This intersection already has problems due to construction). This passage also brings cars into the Outremont residential area.
2)The other option would be from Ste-Catherine. Ste-Catherine had construction at Decelles which caused heavy traffic.
3) Another option would be by Cedar ave, and Pine. Again, these are very busy university zones and already heavily used by cars avoiding the traffic from autoroute 720 and closure of St-Jacques.

3) I am deeply sorry for the cyclists injured or killed on the mountain. No one deserves to get hurt. But something has to be done with the cyclists on the mountain that do not obey the traffic laws. None, repeat none of them ever do a full stop at the stop signs and they constantly do U-turns to return from where they came from. I also drove behind a cyclist to measure their speed and some were hitting speeds that passed the allowable speed limit for vehicles. I have a dash camera and could even provide proof. I clocked one cyclist hitting 65 km/h on the mountain pass.

4) My recommendation is to install speed bumps at every 200-500 meters. this will slow down cars and cyclists. And to ticket any cars or cyclists that violate the laws.

I think the mountain is gorgeous just the way it is and that the through traffic along Camillien Houde is perfectly fine. The only change I would make would be to instal a concrete road divider all the way from the lookout to Fletcher's Field to prevent any motor vehicle from making illegal turn. I usually drive that route an average of three weekdays every week, from my home near Côte-des Neiges to Outremont or Park Ave. or the Plateau to shop or visit with friends or work. It's a scenic drive that puts me in a good mood for the entire day. I rarely see any cyclists. I visit family and friends at the Mount Royal cemetery and at cemeteries on Chemin de la Foret. During the undemocratically imposed closure of the road, I was forced to take a detour through the city that mean it took a minimum of 35 or 40 minutes and as long as 60 minutes to get to the cemeteries - up from 10 to 15 minutes when the road was open: cruel and unjustified punishment, as I see it. Improving public transportation is all well and good, but it will not improve access for those who wish to enjoy picnics on the mountain during warm weather – as anyone who has tried to drag a picnic and portable barbecue on the number 11 bus knows. There's an old saying: If it aint' broke, don't fix it.