Rue Sainte-Catherine redevelopment project in the Village
The city is planning the redevelopment of Rue Sainte-Catherine Est between Rue Berri and Avenue De Lorimier, with a view to improving the pedestrian and commercial experience on this iconic street.
Rue Sainte-Catherine is the heart of the Village and attracts a broad clientele with multiple needs. Making the street pedestrian during the summertime has turned the street into a festive and lively destination where Montrealers cross paths with people passing through the city.
A more welcoming environment
Building on the values of inclusion and openness that have made the area famous, the city will redevelop Rue Sainte-Catherine Est in order to improve:
- The comfort of pedestrians in both wintertime and summertime.
- Public property, making it more welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
- The role of Rue Sainte-Catherine Est as a commercial, cultural and iconic destination in the Village.
A civic participation approach
As part of this redevelopment project, the city carried out a civic participation initiative to continue the discussions that have been taking place since 2022 as part of the Village Forum. The activities that were held during this participatory initiative included an online survey and exploratory walks with area organizations. Learn more about the strategy (in French) that emerged from the Forum du Village and the report from these walks.
A transformative development concept
The city wants to transform Rue Sainte-Catherine Est into a permanent pedestrian street between Rue Berri and Avenue Papineau. However, the design will be flexible and allow for limited vehicle traffic during the winter, if necessary. The section between Avenue Papineau and Avenue De Lorimier will also be redesigned to improve the pedestrian experience, while maintaining year-round vehicle traffic, in particular so that buses can access the Papineau metro station.
The new improvements will include:
- Wide, unobstructed walking paths
- Concrete paving stones for the ground surface
- The return of the 180,000 colorful balls from the installation “18 Nuances de gai” by landscape architect Claude Cormier and his firm CCxA (subject to the city council awarding a contract)
- 300 seats, with benches designed specifically for the project
- 270 trees planted in large planting pits.
The city also plans to redevelop certain public spaces adjacent to the street, including Place du Village.
Stages of the project
Here are the key stages of this major project:
- Public information session on the construction project: Spring 2027
- Start of construction: Fall 2027
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