Over the past year, in conjunction with Ville de Montreal, more than $3.2 million has been invested to improve mobility infrastructures and create increasingly safe and resilient environments around schools and in residential neighbourhoods.

Concrete measures to improve safety

The major projects completed since last fall or currently under way include:

• the installation of 25 curb extensions to improve pedestrian visibility 
• the installation of 19 speed bumps to help reduce speed in residential areas 
• the construction of 10 raised crosswalks and intersections designed to slow down traffic and make crossing safer 
• the reconstruction of 130 metres of sidewalks to make it easier to get around on foot

These initiatives are part of the borough’s commitment to encourage safe and active travel for all residents, and especially for students who walk or bike to school.

Safety: a shared responsibility

In addition to its improvements to the road network, Saint-Laurent is continuing its awareness activities in collaboration with the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) and school administrations. Surveillance and prevention operations are carried out throughout the year to encourage people to obey traffic signs and speed limits as well as respect drop-off and pick-up areas.

The borough is urging everyone to exercise extra caution as the new school year gets under way and throughout the school year to ensure that travelling to school is as safe as possible.

A new, creative effort to raise motorists’ awareness

In addition, as the new school year begins, the Agence de mobilité durable de Montréal and the borough of Saint-Laurent are launching an awareness effort near certain schools. Road markings—the size of a car—will remind motorists that parking less than five metres from an intersection is prohibited, in order to improve visibility for all road users and increase safety in travelling to and from school. 

It should be noted that the borough has also completed the installation of signs indicating a five-metre clearance zone at intersections throughout its territory, in accordance with Québec’s Highway Safety Code.

Each new school year is an opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of sharing the road safely. Thanks to the investments we’ve made and the contributions of many partners, we’re continuing our efforts to ensure that young people in Saint-Laurent can get to school in a safer and more user-friendly environment. Safety around schools is a shared responsibility and we urge the entire community to watch out for one another.