City backs cycling path funding

Summary#

Montréal city council unanimously adopted its position on an agreement with the City of Montréal-Est to build a multi-use path on Sherbrooke Street, from boulevard Joseph-Versailles to avenue Durocher. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting. The stated goal is to complete this second phase of the cycling route in 2026.

  • The agreement would delegate project delivery to Montréal-Est, which would prepare the plans and estimates, oversee the work and check the quality and quantity of materials.
  • Montréal would reimburse Montréal-Est up to $1,608,828, net of tax rebates and non-taxable, after Montréal approves the final account. Payment would be due within 90 days.
  • Montréal-Est would provide final project records within six months after the work is accepted.

What it means for you#

  • People using Sherbrooke Street: The path is planned to start construction in summer 2026 and finish in autumn 2026. Montréal-Est is responsible for measures to limit construction impacts on residents and road users.
  • Taxpayers: The decision sets Montréal’s position on funding the work; it does not itself confirm the agglomeration’s final approval.

Money#

The proposed agreement sets a maximum reimbursement of $1,608,828, net of tax rebates and non-taxable.

  • The city staff summary says the agglomeration would cover the full amount through its cycling-network budget and an agglomeration borrowing bylaw.
  • The funds are to be paid after Montréal approves Montréal-Est’s final account.

What is unclear#

  • The materials do not say what happens if the final cost exceeds the $1,608,828 maximum.
  • They do not provide details on the construction-impact measures Montréal-Est will use.

Case for#

  • City staff say having Montréal-Est deliver work on its own territory could reduce duplicated work and allow the project to proceed faster.
  • The agreement assigns planning, construction oversight and record-keeping responsibilities to Montréal-Est, while requiring Montréal to approve the final account before reimbursement.

Case against#

  • One concern is that the materials do not explain how any costs above the funding cap would be handled.
  • The public summary does not give details of the construction-impact measures, making their scope hard to assess.