Redevelopment of Rue Saint-Paul Ouest

Last updated March 7, 2024
Reading time: 2 min

The Rue Saint-Paul redevelopment project aims to improve the street’s user-friendliness, urban mobility and user experience, enhance its historic character and ensure its commercial vitality. Construction will begin in spring 2024.

Project description 

Rue Saint-Paul, which was officially created in 1673 by the Messieurs de Saint-Sulpice, is the founding street of Montreal. It is still the main commercial street in Old Montréal today.

The design concept is sober, using noble materials to enhance the architectural quality of the buildings around it. Urban lighting will be modernized, in accordance with Old Montréal’s lighting plan.

Redevelopment work includes:

  • Upgrading public utility networks (gas, telecommunications, power supply)
  • Rebuilding the water main and repairing the sewer
  • Repair of sidewalks and roadways: Materials and paving techniques will extend the pavement’s lifespan.

The space has been designed in such a way as to allow for cohabitation of different modes of transportation, while guaranteeing the safety of pedestrians:

  • Widened, reduced-height sidewalks
  • Vehicle speed limited to 20 kilometres per hour
  • No on-street parking
  • Short-term parking for commercial delivery
  • Priority is given to pedestrians, who can walk on the road.

This concept of a shared street could easily be adapted to make the area pedestrian in the future.

Progess of construction 

The street is being redeveloped from east to west:

  • The eastern portion of the street (phases 1 and 2 of the project) has been completed.
  • The work between Boulevard Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Rue Saint-François-Xavier (phase 3A) will take place from spring 2024 to summer 2026. This construction site will also encompass the lane north of Place Royale, as well as Ruelle St-Dizier and Ruelle Chagouamigon.
  • The section west of Rue Saint-François-Xavier will be completed later.

Archaeological finds

Given the significant archaeological potential of this area, excavations are conducted during construction work. Various pre-Columbian artifacts such as arrowheads and axes have been unearthed in previous excavations.

Virtual information session

Redevelopment work

Phase 3A of the redevelopment of Rue Saint-Paul, between Boulevard Saint-Laurent and Rue Saint-François-Xavier, will see the upgrading of utility networks (gas, telecommunications, power supply), reconstruction of main water line, rehabilitation of the sewer system, modernization of street lighting and resurfacing of sidewalks and pavement. Work will also include the alley north of Place Royale, as well as Ruelle Saint-Dizier and Ruelle Chagouamigon.

Notice of ongoing work

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