Avenue Christophe-Colomb: creation of bicycle paths
New bike paths, with an approximate length of seven kilometres on Avenue Christophe-Colomb, from Boulevard Gouin to Rue Saint-Grégoire, will connect four boroughs. The new path will make travel safer, by bike, as well as on foot, by bus and in cars.
Learn all about the project
When?
Start of construction: June 2023
Scheduled completion: Fall 2025
Where?
On Avenue Christophe-Colomb, between Boulevard Gouin and Rue Saint-Grégoire.
Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie and Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension
What?
The bike path on Avenue Christophe-Colomb between Boulevard Gouin and Rue Jarry was redeveloped and extended to Boulevard Rosemont in summer 2023. It will be extended to Rue Saint-Grégoire in 2025.
The new bike lanes are located on either side of the street, between the sidewalk and the parking lane. They are defined by pavement markings and bollards.
Further development work, such as the installation of bus platforms and bus shelters, will be carried out along the entire length of the new bike route as of spring 2025. The configuration will then be permanent.
Development of Montréal's first protected intersections
By the end of 2025, three new protected intersections will be created on Avenue Christophe-Colomb at the following intersections:
- Rue de Bellechasse
- Rue Sauriol
- Rue Prieur
The design concept, which originated in the Netherlands, improves pedestrian and cyclist safety at intersections through a configuration that includes protective islands between cyclists and vehicles in the intersection.
This type of development has a number of advantages:
- The length of pedestrian and cyclist crossings as well as areas of exposure to vehicle conflicts are reduced.
- Cyclist and pedestrian crossings are set back from the vehicle lane to allow motorists making a turn to have a better view of other users and yield to them without obstructing the main direction.
- Cyclists can make a two-stage left turn thanks to a dedicated waiting area.
- The intersection is narrowed, which reduced vehicle turning speed.
The intersections are aligned with the Vision Zero Plan 2025-2027, particularly its priority to make vulnerable intersections safer. The targeted intersections will help secure cyclist and pedestrian routes to several primary schools. They are also located near seniors’ residences and will make walking safer for elderly pedestrians.
Traffic and parking
- One traffic lane in each direction will be removed from Rue Jarry to Boulevard Rosemont
- One northbound traffic lane will be removed between Rue Saint-Grégoire and Boulevard Rosemont
- Public transit service will be maintained
- Bus stops will be transferred to the far side of intersections for safer travel on foot and bicycle
- About thirty traffic lights will be modified
- Eighty-five per cent of parking spaces will be maintaine
Why?
In addition to making travel safer, the redesign of Christophe-Colomb will mean:
- Traffic calming due to the removal of automobile travel lanes
- A response to the increasing bicycle use on this axis, as evidenced, in particular, by the congestion on the Rue Boyer bicycle path
- Better sharing of mobility space among all travel modes
- Active transportation
- Better connectivity by bicycle: easy access to about ten parks, several east-west bike paths, recreational centres as well as nearby childcare centres and schools
- Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
Project progress in photos
Check out these photos to see how work is progressing and how our teams are getting the job done.
The new and improved facilities
Our teams making it happen
Avis de travaux
Information evening
Did you miss the information evening on the improvement and development of bicycle path on Christophe-Colomb Avenue? Watch it here:
Survey report
Consult the results of the online survey of the population in February 2023 (in French).
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