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

I believe through traffic should be allowed to vehicles at all times, with the exception of special events like bicycle races.

The pilot project to close through traffic on the mountain was a laughable attempt to protect the mountain.
It served only to frustrate and infuriate motorists, tourists and mourners visiting the cemeteries. That it came over the summer while Dr. Penfield was closed to east-west traffic in the city was further insult to injury, and a sign of bad planning or, perhaps, a deliberate slap in the face to motorists.

The closing did nothing to protect cyclists.

To close car access to the mountain deprives many, many Montrealers of the ability to visit the mountain.
Iconic lookouts and Beaver Lake are far more difficult or impossible to visit without cars. Generations of Montrealers have proudly showed off the city by taking visitors on the scenic road.

To ensure the safety of cyclists and motorists a proper bike path and traffic calming measures are called for as well as safety measures for turning at the lookouts.

Traffic calming measures should be sufficient to discourage speeding commuters. And when Pine, Parc and Dr. Penfield are closed or clogged with traffic for events like football games – or construction, Montrealers will have an alternative route to cross the city.

I believe the city administration must allow access to the mountain by private vehicle at the same as taking measures to protect and enhance our natural treasure.

I am in favour of through traffic over them mountain. I suggest partial barriers for bike lanes.

Hi,

I live in NDG, near Villa Maria, and I was very unhappy about the pilot project :-(

I am generally a big user of public transport, but access from NDG to the mountain and av. du Parc/Mont Royal in the Plateau is inconvenient using public transport. I tried the 711 bus from Snowden twice, but it was not frequent, and was not available for the duration of the pilot project.

*PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE* don't block access during the winter. We use the mountain for cross-country skiing from Smith House, and are much less likely to attempt to go on a nice day on the weekend, because we will be unlikely to get parking near Lac Castor if we can't get through to Smith House, and it is not a realistic option to take cross-country skis on the STM.

To make usage of the road more peaceful, speed limits could be reduced and enforced (including for cyclists). Signage should be improved to avoid U-turns, and be easily understood for tourists from the US. If the road is going to be blocked to traffic, maybe it would make more sense to block it between the lookout and Smith House parking, where it is most narrow; and to allow left turns into the lookout. The pilot solution I believe is great for the cyclists who use it, and probably fine for access from the East side, but not great from the West side.

For me, the worst part has been that not being able to get across the mountain easily makes the Plateau feel much further away. During the pilot project, I went much less frequently to that part of the city. I also feel like it was a foregone conclusion from the mayor's office that the pilot would be declared a success, and that there would be no way to stop it.

While I recognize the beauty of the natural environment of Mount Royal park and I believe in its safeguarding for future generations, there is a clear and evident bias held by the administration that proposed the reduction of vehicular transit users as a “positive” vision of the future of the road that boarders it.

It is my opinion, that the project was a success ONLY in that it achieved the stated goal of keeping car trafic off the mountain. However I believe it the be a failure in the following ways.

1 7500-9500 cars were rerouted every day of the project. All these people (including myself) we’re deprived of the enjoyment of driving through the most beautiful road in the city.

2. Vehicles were forced into residential streets as an alternative and it lengthened displacement time considerably. This caused frustration, congested streets, pollution, accidents and increased traffic infractions.

3. The pedestrian traffic did not increase.

4. The bicycle traffic did not increase. (However the average speed of the cyclists did, well over the marked vehicular speed limit!) and contributed to cyclists also getting traffic violations.

5. The buses increased their efficiency, however the representative of the STCUM stated that the existing services were so erratic and unreliable that the increase would not necessarily be apparent to their clients.

It seems that the project was successful in denying the mountain road to thousands of taxpayers and citizens a day, while simultaneously stressing the existing road networks to cope with the closure. This was done to give more “peace” and pleasure to very few elite group of cyclists (only those able to climb Camilien Houde) and the few pedestrians who prefer asphalt to the existing gravel road that is completely free of car traffic already.

A member of the group Les Amis de la montagne seemed against it due to loss of revenue at their two restaurants/cantines on Mount-Royal that provide funding for their protection programs.

The people working at the cemetery boardering the park were also furious at the effect that this I’ll conceived plan had on grieving families unable to easily access funerals.

This mountain can be shared. We do not need to be pitted one against the other.

These are my suggestions:
1. Install a physical barrier to protect the cyclists, in the form of concrete dividers.
2. Narrow the car lanes.
3. Reduce the speed limit to 30 km/h.

If this isn’t enough to reduce accidents. We can revisit it at a later date.

I have lived in Montreal for 18 years and one of my greatest pleasures has been the drive over the mountain -- a moment of beauty, peace and relaxation in the heart of the city. I love this drive and have never had a problem with traffic over the mountain. It was a less traveled route, generally quiet in my experience. I was devastated to hear about the closing of the route and saddened that one of the most pleasurable aspects of living in the city was taken away without consultation.

Only the most serious cyclists in peak physical fitness journey across the mountain, not casual cyclists. The route is wide enough to accommodate those athletes. I fail to see why the desires and preferences of a very small group of competitive cyclists should dictate the movement of all traffic over the mountain. A speed limit of 40 km is enough to prevent motorists who wish to speed from using the mountain, leaving those of us who wish to enjoy the journey at a slower pace, and a small group of cyclists to share the route. Vehicles traveling on this route also reduces congestion downtown.

I strongly believe the road should remain open. Access from east to west over the mountain is important and symbolic. Closing the route to traffic effectively closes off the mountain for far too many people. It makes no sense. Why would a city, whose pride is the mountain, do this to itself?

Closing Camilien-Houde effectively closes the park to the overwhelming majority of Montrealers. The proposal is both ageist as well as elitist. It was very effective in keeping me away. Maybe that's what you want, a private green space for young athletic bikers. Seems incredibly unfair to the almost 2,000,000,000 citizens who are being disregarded.

Park Road: A park road is a roadway in a park that should be accessible to all whether they arrive in a car, by bike or on foot. All Montrealers/visitors should be able to use the park.


Sharing the Road: Everyone who uses the road should be protected. Possibly by adding more traffic signs, speed signs, speed bumps would help everyone to slow down. Sometimes, when I am there, the cyclists are driving so fast I have to look out for them. That is not very safe.


Public Transit: It would be nice to have more regular bus service on the weekend when there are more people going there.


Parking: Having a shuttle service from the Parking to the different points of interest is also a good idea; however, I would also like to see the parking remain as it is. It is so much easier for us to take our picnic baskets/coolers from the parking to go to the picnic area.

To conclude, please leave Mount Royal Park as it is. We love it!!! Please do not change anything!


Thank you.

Please allow people to use the mountain road without restrictions. The mountain should be available
to everybody. People have legitimate reasons to use the road and they should be free to enjoy
all of the mountain. Of course there should be accomodation for

bicyclists but this can be done without restricting car travel.

In my opinion, to both allow passage over the mountain, and to maintain a high level of safety for cyclists, the city should keep the road open and install radar cameras set at a strict 30 kph. This would keep vehicles at a slow pace. Money raised from tickets can be designated to the upkeep of the mountain park.

Closing the road to all Montrealers that drive a car because a cyclist was killed doesn’t make sense. Unfortunately, there are accidents similar to the terrible one that happened on the mountain all over the city. We don’t close every road where a tragedy occurs, never mind one of our best tourist routes.

I am in favour of protecting cyclists, but not at the cost of inconvenience and disruption to other citizens and businesses. The city officials must be smart enough to figure out a solution or we should vote.for new ones next election.

Thank you,

I am writing to express my frustration anger and embarrassment for Montreal regarding the closure of Camilien Houde to cars.
As sad as it is to have loss of life, there will always be accidents, and people who for whatever reason do not obey the traffic rules. What has not been addressed is that cycling on a steep narrow road has an inherent risk and where is the responsibility of the cyclists who chose to take that risk? To be able to do any chosen activity risk free is not realistic. To eliminate all risk to cyclists, perhaps they should be banned from dangerous areas, perhaps we should extend the mommy state.
It is an embarrassment not to be able to show my out of town guests, and mobility impaired relatives what used to be a highlight of their visits.
As for traffic, to go west to east, trying to get to the theater on St. Denis is a disaster, as south of the mountain the road was also blocked, leaving bumper to bumper traffic on Cote St. Catherine.
This carless vision is ”small town plateau” thinking, that every Montrealer is a 30 something fit person, with no regard for those with children, the elderly or the mobility impaired.

I sincerely home the road will remain open and end among other things, the embarrassment of having to explain this stupidity to my guests.

Doris Steg

Leaving the road open to all is very important for accessibility of this jewel of Montréal - especially families with small children and people with limited mobility.
Ensuring safety for pedestrians and cyclists is, of course, very important - everywhere in the city!
Traffic calming , and extending the median the whole length of Camillon Houde would be important .
Please let all of us enjoy the mountain - including driving over the famous road .
Thank you

I find it disturbing that despite the initial public consultation and the public outcry against this pilot project, the city decided to move forward with the pilot project anyways.
The project made a ghost town of the mountain at a time when it's normally at it's peak usage. Most people decided to bypass the nonsensical and stressful experience of using the park.
The mountain is a treasured landmark that was created for the enjoyment of the people. It is one of this city's true gems!
There is a road that runs alongside the main road from the first parking lot to the second parking lot that is always blocked. Not long ago, it was open to cars so they could easily access the different parking lots. This was smart, as it separated the traffic from those going to visit the park from those just wanting to access the other side of the city, This road should be made accessible once again. The one lane, bumber to bumper traffic would disappear and those trying to access the larger parking lots on busy days could do so in an unencumbered way.
There should be designated bike paths made from one end to the other end of the roadway. There are currently no bike lanes which forces cars and bikers to dangerously share the same space.
There should be a safe, designated place for uturns so there would be no need to do them illegally and unsafely. The way the roadways are now, this wouldn't be hard to do atop where the large parking lot is located.
By no means should those people who live in the western park of the city, near Cote des Neiges, ect, have to be rerouted to Camille Houde to return back to the Western park of the city. This was unsustainable and ridiculous when you think of all the wasted resources imposed on people who were taken at least 20 minutes out of their way, the excess gaz, and pollution, in the process.

Last but not least stop the war on cars!!!!

We do not live in California, we are in Montreal where the temperatures are sub zero and icy for days on end. Use of a vehicle for most people is a huge time saver and most efficient in their daily lives. Not everyone lives by a train or metro line. In reality, most families live in the suburbs of Montreal where they can access housing that accomodates their needs. Two bedroom one bathroom condos are not a good fit for most families, and the price of a three bedroom two bathroom living space for a growing family is not affordable in most neighborhoods in the Greater Montreal region. We have to be realistic about our climate and the advantages/conveniences of car use. The plan to remove parking spaces, particularly in the downtown core will exacerbate the frustration of citizens,creating more wasted time, gas usage and exhaust pollution as people circle endlessly for a viable parking space. Expensive parking lots only add to the burden. If the city plans to make the downtown core unfriendly to cars, people will do what they did with the mountain experiment. They will opt to shop and take their business to other more car friendly centers like Dix30, Fairview, etc.This will not bode well for all the current investment pouring into Montreal who are trying to create a wonderful and inviting downtown experience for both tourists and citizens alike.

Since I moved here 25 years ago, Mount Royal has been my haven. I was fortunate enough to live in Outremont and walking distance to the mountain so I enjoyed it several times a week with my family. For the past 17 years I have lived in NDG so have had to use a car more often to get to the mountain. And whenever I could, I would cross over the mountain in my car just to soak in its beauty and appreciate the magic of her wonder. Over the past 2 years I am unable to walk more than a block so had no choice but to take a car to access the mountain. Sadly I was not able to visit ONE time during the closure because there was no parking and it was a menace to access the further parking.
I am sure that there are other solutions than closing the Mount Royal to cars. It is unfair that the few elite cyclists are the ones to benefit while so many people suffer. The idea that these cyclists are not a danger to pedestrians is a joke as I have seen many 'close calls' in my walks through the mountain.
If it is speed that is an issue, set up cameras to send automatic fines to those who speed. But what can be done about the cyclists who speed, whom are also a danger.
The only way that I can see to prevent illegal U-turns (which are mostly done by tourists who do not understand that they will have a chance to turn around if they continue a little further) is to post a CLEARLY WORDED SIGN IN BOTH LANGUAGES telling them just that. As well set up a barrier separating the lanes as far as is necessary and up to where the U-turns take place.
Especially for those of us who are not fortunately enough to own a country home, limiting access to the mountain takes away from our quality of life. And now being limited in mobility, I can really appreciate that many people like me are very limited in accessing the mountain.
Hence I am very opposed to closing the mountain to cars on a permanent basis.

Interesting that you say "accessible to all" but you're going to block it off to cars who would transport elderly and less abled bodies to enjoy the green space.

DON'T BLOCK THE MOUNTAIN TO CARS!!

To the Mayor of Montreal

The mayor has made the mountain accessible to those between 20 and 35 years old. The handicapped, the elderly, the immobile, cemetery visitors, all these have been the 'losers' in Plante's programme.

Mayor Jean Drapeau would never never have done such a thing. He understood the need for easy access to the cemetery.

I used to go to the cemetery on a weekly basis, using cote des neiges. This year, I only went ONCE, because getting home was a nightmare, and it meant doing a huge detour exiting from the other gate, and going around and along Cote St Catherine.

Please try to understand that the mountain is for everyone.

I have a severely disabled adult daughter, and I was no longer able to take her for a slow drive to enjoy the city. She is unable to leave her bed or the house except very rarely.

I am very discouraged and very tired of this administration which is so self righteous and has so little understanding of the common suffering people.

I strongly object to the restricted access of cars on Mount Royal. This decision benefits a very limited number of people -- the superfit, elitist cyclists. The elderly, families, cemetery visitors, tourists, people with reduced mobility, people who enjoy a scenic drive are not being considered. Not only is it a huge inconvenience, but the detours to reach the desired part of the mountain inevitably entail trying to maneuver the ever-present road construction obstacles. This is not only a loss of time but more importantly adds to emission pollution.

I live in NDG. Several times a month I visit my parents' grave in Mount Royal Cemetery, to plant flowers, light candles, etc. I cannot take a bus to do this. Some other relatives are in the "Mountainview" section of the cemetery. There is no way that this can be done on foot! I tried to take Docteur Penfield a couple of times to get there, but because of construction on Peel this was not possible. I was stuck on Drummond for so long, that when I finally reached Sherbrooke, I just gave up and returned home. (Somebody from the city waterworks department mentioned to me that there is major work planned for the Station de pompage McTavish within the next couple of years. So Docteur Penfield will once again be affected. Is the city administration clued in to this???!!!) Other times I went via Lacombe, but I encountered road construction near Edouard-Montpetit, so that was not any better.

Visiting the mountain for a walk, a picnic, going to the chalet lookout, which I enjoyed doing in past summers, I did not do even once this past 5 months, because it was too unwelcoming. Oh, and those installations that were put up --- what an embarrassment! They look like they were thrown together with leftover materials. Not pretty! I used to cross the mountain to get to Plateau restaurants. Stopped doing that too.

When I was finally able to access the mountain once again by my usual way on November 1st, I experienced a big sense of relief and lack of stress. What a pleasure to find my mountain once again! I noticed however that the no U-Turn signage, in French only, is present only once in only one part of the road. There should be a No U-Turn signs, in both languages as there are many tourists who like to visit the mountain. Why not use pictograms every few hundred meters all along the road? SVP, "une île, une ville", and NOT "une montagne, deux villes!"

this is a test

Leave it open.
It’s a beautiful drive, allows access to all esprcially the old and young.
Closing does not truly help cyclists as the majority is trafficked to access parking anyway.
Build a proper bike lane instead.

In my opinion, the road across mount royal should always be open to traffic for all vehicles.
The only time it could be closed to traffic would be for a special event like a bicycle race or marathon.
The only traffic that should be routed elsewhere is regular bicycle traffic.
The road was created for cars.

I would like the road to stay open to cars as it has always been. Monitor both car and bicycle speeds for everyone’s safety

My thoughts

1) The majority of people who cross over the mountain access it by car Why than does the minority of people who access the mountain govern the rights of the majority. The mountain is for all people to share regardless of the means they access it by.

2) The closing of the mountain for cars has created additional traffic congestion on the remaining routes available to cross over this part of the city. All the routes that are available to cross over are populated by residential dwellings. Essentailly we have lowered the quality of life of people living around the mountain by increasing the traffic flow near them.

If we compare the number of bikers who access the mountain vs the number of people who live on the traffic routes around the mountain their numbers would be well short of the majority again.

3) The city of the last few years has invested considerable sums of money to creat bike paths on existing roads so that both cars and bikers can share access to our city together.
We have yet to close any roads for this initiative. Why have we not implemented the same policy on the mountain?

In conclusion the policy that the city administration has adopted runs contradictory to the other policy’s they have implemented. Namely it is exclusive, more like a private club, than inclusive , open to all cirptizens regardless of their means of transport.

Keep Camilien Houde road OPEN to cars as it has been!!
What about cameras to ticket people who make u turns?

Keep the roadway open to vehicles. Closing such an integral part of Montreal to cars because of one accident was rash. Cars and bicycles can exist with bike paths . The mountain road is not a race track for bicycles . It is a road for sightseeing, through traffic and people who enjoy the mountain.

The road should remain open to service everyone. Bikes and cars can use the road I. Harmony and why should drivers be penalized? The access over the mountain reduces traffic elsewhere. Perhaps closing the moi train o. Weekends between June-August to accommodate cyclists would be a serviceable option.

keep road open for cars