This article written in french by Stéphane St-Amour was automatically translated using AI
Boulevard Saint-Martin will undergo construction over the next two years.
With a budget of $39 million, this major east-west artery crossing Île Jésus will be transformed into a safer, greener, and more climate-resilient urban corridor.
“This project will have a tangible impact on the quality of life of thousands of Laval residents,” said Mayor Stéphane Boyer in a statement released shortly after the approval of an initial $12 million contract yesterday evening.
Project Scope
The entire project covers a 13-kilometer stretch from Montée Champagne, west of Highway 13 in Sainte-Dorothée, to Boulevard Pie-IX, where Boulevard Saint-Martin ends.
First Section
Construction will begin in May on a two-kilometer segment between Boulevard des Laurentides and Avenue de la Mauricie, just east of Highway 19 (Papineau). The work is expected to take 24 months.
The remaining two contracts are expected to be awarded in the coming weeks.
Project Details
The plan includes planting approximately 525 trees and creating over 15,000 square meters of vegetated buffer zones—equivalent to 60 tennis courts.
These green spaces, which will separate sidewalks from the roadway between Boulevard Chomedey and Boulevard Pie-IX, will absorb up to 2,500 cubic meters of water (the volume of an Olympic swimming pool) during heavy rainfall. In extreme conditions exceeding 80 mm of rain, this capacity could more than double, reducing pressure on the sewer system and mitigating overflows.
For instance, in 2023, runoff water caused 1,747 wastewater spills in Laval—an average of five overflows per day, each lasting around five hours.
Active Transportation
The project also aims to promote active transportation by refurbishing 19 kilometers of sidewalks and bike paths, which will be physically separated from the roadway. This will be done “while maintaining all existing traffic lanes,” according to the City of Laval.
Additionally, the bike network will be expanded by 4.3 km, improving connectivity between Montée Champagne in Sainte-Dorothée and 100th Avenue in Chomedey.
The federal government is contributing $10.2 million through the Active Transportation Fund and the Career Fund.
“By promoting active mobility, user safety, and greener living spaces, we are building more inclusive, dynamic, and resilient cities that can face today’s environmental and urban challenges,” said Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister and Quebec Lieutenant.
Impact
To minimize disruptions during construction, the City will implement specific measures, including secure access to establishments.
“Two lanes in each direction will be maintained at all times, and almost no detours are planned for motorists,” municipal authorities stated. “An information and collaboration initiative will be deployed with all business owners before and during the work, including a direct hotline, a dedicated community relations resource, and the distribution of notices and email updates on the progress of the work.”
Cost Overrun
Approved by the municipal council on March 12, the first $12.1 million contract awarded to Eurovia Québec Construction Inc. exceeds the initial cost estimate by 34%, according to the decision summary attached to the adopted resolution.
The $3 million difference between the estimate and the bid submitted by the lowest compliant bidder is mainly due to the underestimation of costs related to maintaining mobility, temporary signage during the work, and surveying. The “specific conditions” and “traffic” on this two-kilometer section of Boulevard Saint-Martin, linking Boulevard des Laurentides to Avenue de la Mauricie in Duvernay, were not accurately assessed.
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