Second phase of Sainte-Catherine street project underway, more closures

The second phase of a decade-long project to revamp Sainte-Catherine street is underway in downtown Montreal – with a budget of $70 million.

The city and province’s busiest commercial artery is completely closed between Stanley and Mansfield – and will remain so for the next two years.

Vehicle traffic is being detoured around the site.

“If drivers can avoid these streets, it would be perfect,” said Phillipe Sabourin, spokesperson for the city of Montreal.

The work started Monday, and people should expect the street to be closed until November 2024.

Sabourin said construction takes a break from November to February to give merchants a break during the holidays and claims that excavation is difficult in the winter. 

The full project will renovate Saint-Catherine west all the way to Atwater.

Most of the work be done this year will be focused on infrastructure, telecommunication, gas, and electricity. 

The sewer lines and pipes will be replaced – and so will underground infrastructure that is over a century old.

Also, the sidewalks will also be widened along with more greenery added in 2025. 

Previously, the city announced it would be offering a $5,000 lump sum for affected business owners – on top of its up to $40,000 in aide program to those companies who can prove they lost money during the construction.

“Winter will end soon, hopefully, and a lot of construction needs to be done.” 

Sainte-Catherine will only be open to local deliveries between Drummond and Mansfield. 

Sabourin explained that most of the work will be completed in 2024, with fewer things left to do 2025.

“It shouldn’t take all year until November for the work to be finished in 2025,” he said. 

The first phase of construction began in 2018, between Mansfield and Bleury, with Phillips Square and Union also undergoing work.