Cycling Ventures Advance on Jacques-Cartier Bridge
The modernization plans for the Jacques-Cartier Bridge bike path, connecting Montreal and Longueuil, have been met with ambitious ideas such as widening the multifunctional path, creating a path under the bridge's deck, and removing a motorized traffic lane to enhance cycling infrastructure.
Extensive studies and creative proposals have been conducted to improve the bike path on the bridge, with these major ideas aiming to both increase capacity and safety for cyclists. One of the most notable proposals was to remove a lane of motorized traffic to allocate more space to cyclists. Another innovative idea was to create a bike path underneath the bridge deck, providing a separate, possibly shielded route for cyclists.
However, these plans have currently been paused or delayed due to financial constraints. The project is on hold until the next major renovation of the Jacques-Cartier Bridge, due to funding issues and prioritization.
The Parsons-WSP consortium has highlighted numerous deficiencies in the current multi-purpose path on the bridge, making it dangerous for cyclists. These issues include steep slopes, narrow lanes, high cycling speeds, five double barriers, sharp curves, pedestrian presence, conflicts between motorists and cyclists, and numerous lateral obstacles.
A private consortium proposed 13 scenarios to enhance active transportation on the bridge, including widening the multifunctional path, constructing a path under the bridge's deck, and removing one motorized lane for bikes. These proposals were presented to PJCCI, the government agency responsible for the Jacques-Cartier Bridge, but only three have been retained for further study.
One of the retained scenarios involves widening the multifunctional path and equipping it with a bridge over the Sainte-Hélène Island intersection. Another retained scenario recommends widening the east side sidewalk to create a four-meter-wide bike path, also with a bridge over the Sainte-Hélène Island intersection.
The cost of the work on the Jacques-Cartier Bridge bike path is estimated between 277 million and 340 million dollars. Despite the high cost, the project has not moved beyond the conceptual or study phase into construction or immediate implementation at this time.
Gregor Robertson, the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure responsible for federal bridges, has previously removed car lanes to allocate them to bicycles on the Burrard and Cambie bridges when he was mayor of Vancouver from 2008 to 2018. However, he declined interview requests for this project, citing the independence of the state-owned company PJCCI.
In summary, while these modernization concepts for the Jacques-Cartier Bridge bike path are well-developed and ambitious, their realization depends on future redevelopment works and funding availability. The project remains on hold, awaiting the next major renovation of the Jacques-Cartier Bridge.
[1] Source: Various reports and news articles on the modernization plans for the Jacques-Cartier Bridge bike path.
- The proposals for improving the Jacques-Cartier Bridge bike path include ventures in the housing industry, such as widening the multifunctional path, and initiatives in the finance sector, as the estimated cost of the project is between 277 million and 340 million dollars.
- In the transportation industry, innovative ideas for the bike path include constructing a path under the bridge's deck and removing a motorized lane for cyclists, while in home-and-garden, these adjustments aim to enhance the overall lifestyle of cyclists by creating a safer and more comfortable route.
- The retention of certain proposals, such as widening the multifunctional path and equipping it with a bridge over the Sainte-Hélène Island intersection, demonstrates a commitment towards active transportation and improved infrastructure in the future.
