Half of the bridge-to-bridge South Shore River Promenade bike path has reopened

Half of the bike path on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River has reopened with the second half slated to reopen next year. (CMM)

For the first time this summer, cyclists wanting to cruise along the South Shore of the St. Lawrence River from the Jacques-Cartier Bridge to the Champlain can take advantage of the Greater Montreal riverfront path between Saint-Lambert and the estacade.

The first phase of work on the 14-kilometre span linking Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montreal to Ste-Catherine began May 12, and the span between the park and the Champalin Bridge Estacade was completed and opened on the weekend.

The formerly dirt path is now paved with a sidewalk on a route replete with birds and other wildlife, along with a pristine view of the Montreal city skyline.

Resurfacing and other work on the span between the bridge and the Ste-Catherine lock began on Aug. 4 and will be finished in December.

“By the opening of the 2026 season, the 13.4 km of cycle paths that make up the Promenade fluviale du Grand Montréal will have been modernized and will be accessible to the public,” a news release from the Metropolitan Montreal Community (CMM) reads. “The public will then be able to travel peacefully between the cities of Sainte-Catherine and Saint-Lambert, passing through Delson, Candiac, La Prairie and Brossard, and even reach the city of Montreal via the Estacade or Parc Jean-Drapeau.”

The official inauguration of the fully open path will take place in spring 2026.

The bike-only span is a hugely popular path for cyclists and will host the International Cycling Union Road World Championships in September 2026.

“These Championships will be the largest sporting event the city has seen since the 1976 Olympic Games,” the CMM said.