The urban design concept between Rue Peel and Rue Saint-Marc is inspired largely by the already-completed sections to ensure continuity in the redevelopment of the street. The design elements include:

• Wider sidewalks.
• Large spaces for socializing, and terraces.
• New street furniture, including benches, tables, and park strips.
• More trees and planting holes.

Only one eastbound traffic lane will be maintained, including a drop-off lane (15 minutes) for deliveries on the south side of the street. The proposed design will be adjusted in relation to the first sections to help users understand its function.

Depending on the needs of merchants and the community, all sections of the street could be pedestrianized on a seasonal basis or for events to further consolidate the street’s commercial and event vocation.

This strategy will make it possible to offer a unique pedestrian route throughout the downtown area.

Additions to facilitate the pedestrianization of the street:

• Removal of the south-side curb
• Addition of removable on-street bollards to facilitate the opening and closing of the street
• Creation of two new permanent public spaces: Place Concordia and Place McGill

With the creation of two new public spaces, the city wishes to create true places to gather in the downtown core. Summer and winter alike, these spaces will help strengthen Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest’s distinctive character.

Place McGill, located between Rue Mansfield and Boulevard Robert-Bourassa, will put the final touches on the future public square on Avenue McGill College. Together, they will create one of downtown Montréal’s largest pedestrian squares. With the arrival of the REM and the redevelopment of the area, this new space in the shape of a cross is sure to become a leading destination in the city.

Place Concordia, located between Rue Guy and Rue Bishop, will be at the heart of a university district. With tens of thousands of people passing through it daily, this space will offer a real place to step away from it all, a cool oasis in the western part of the downtown area. Near Concordia University and the Centre St Jax, the development of this unique space promises to reinvigorate the neighbourhood.

Since 2014, the city has carried out consultation and consensus-building activities with the community and its various downtown partners. The design is the fruit of consultation exercises carried out in 2019 to 2023. Residents expressed an interest in expanding pedestrian spaces, but also in a form of pedestrianization that addresses issues of accessibility and functionality. For more on the consensus-building activities and the major stages of the project, please visit the Réalisons Montréal page.

Find out more about the chosen design concept in the summary document (in French).

Communications will be issued throughout the course of the project. Subscribe to the newsletter to receive all the latest updates.

Learn more about the project in its entirety: Sainte-Catherine Ouest Project | Ville de Montréal

Follow the progress of work operations on all street sections: Projet Sainte-Catherine Ouest Project: Work in progress and news | Ville de Montréal

For general information concerning the project, please write to us.