New measures, traffic configurations to improve school zone safety in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie

A mother walks her daughter to daycare.

Officials with Montreal’s Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie borough announced new measures on Wednesday to prioritize safety near schools.

The Quartiers-écoles program is a major initiative aimed at transforming school zones into calmer traffic areas.

• READ MORE: Parents rally for crossing guard at controversial Montreal West intersection

“Making school zones safer and more pleasant is one of the top priorities of our mandate,” said François Limoges, Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie borough mayor. “The Quartiers-écoles program puts this commitment into action. Our goal is clear: to create calmer environments in more than a dozen school hubs by 2029.”

As such, officials explain that some streets will be reconfigured to limit traffic and facilitate travel for residents and families.

“The program responds to strong public demand and relies on the active participation of school communities, parents, students and all residents to transform their neighbourhoods,” borough officials note.

• READ MORE: Voulez-vous? Quebec government reintroduces formal politeness in schools

Starting in 2026, specific measures are set to take place in four school zones:

École La Petite-Patrie

• Making Drolet Street one-way southbound;
• Reversing the direction of traffic on Henri-Julien Avenue to northbound between Mozart Avenue and de Bellechasse Street;
• Installing protected drop-off zones (2027).

Écoles Rose-des-Vents and Louis-Hébert

• Creating a green school plaza;
• Adding street furniture;
• Reconfiguring 5e, 6e and 8e avenues to improve safety.

Écoles Saint-Jean-de-Brébeuf and Sainte-Bibiane/Saint-François-Solano

• Making Holt and Dandurand streets one-way between d’Iberville Street and Pie-IX Boulevard;
• Improving the safety of bike lanes on Holt Street;
• Adding a bike lane on Dandurand Street;
• Resurfacing Dandurand Street (in 2027).

The work is expected to be adjusted and improved based on the needs of the community.

• READ MORE: New board game ‘Monster Moods’ aims to help children articulate emotions

“Parents, students and residents all have a say in transforming their neighbourhood,” said Claude-Emanuelle Beauchamp, Marie-Hélène Lizotte-Masson and Karine Desruisseaux, parents and members of the safety committee at École Rose-des-Vents. “We are ready to play this role and work hand in hand with the borough to ensure our streets truly become child-friendly.”

More details on the borough’s Quartiers-écoles program can be found here.