Montrealers fed up as city rips up new asphalt for second round of construction

Residents say tearing up fresh asphalt for more construction shows poor planning, but the city says it’s part of finishing the bike and bus lanes.

Some Montrealers living near Henri-Bourassa Boulevard say they’re frustrated after fresh asphalt laid down last summer was torn up for more roadwork this spring—construction they feel never seems to end.

Cristina Iacono, whose daughter’s daycare is located right by the Henri-Bourassa Boulevard and Saint-Denis Street intersection, says she’s fed up.

“Just trying to get to work… dropping off my daughter has become a nightmare,” Iacono said. “I don’t think digging up the street for a bike lane twice in one year is an efficient way to work.”

The street is a major artery with businesses and homes nearby. Residents say it’s a challenge to get around, but the City of Montreal says it’s adding lanes for bikes and buses.

“It’s going to be more secure for pedestrians, for cyclists, for people moving around with public transit as well,” said city spokesperson Philippe Sabourin.

He explained that since work wasn’t complete, the city put a thin layer of asphalt down to get through the winter. It’s this temporary patch that was ripped up and will be replaced with a thicker, more permanent paving job.

“It’s impossible to build with concrete and asphalt during the winter because it’s too cold. Those material cannot be dried,” he added.

And despite delays, the city will complete the project in a month.

However, for Iacono, there are too many unanswered questions, so she has launched a petition calling for a moratorium on the construction.

“It’s really anger and frustration at how tax dollars are being spent,” she said.