Ensemble Montréal calls for solutions to help ease traffic throughout the city

The Official Opposition at Montreal city hall denounced the Plante administration’s inaction when it comes to roadblocks and solutions for motorists.

Ensemble Montréal said they’re alarmed by the headaches that persist for many who must commute around the city.

“There is a real problem of culture and a lack of political will to make travelling around Montreal easier. In fact, poor work site management and communication between all partners have both worsened since the Plante administration came to power,” said Official Opposition spokesperson Alan DeSousa, who is also borough mayor of St-Laurent.

According to a press release by Ensemble Montréal, the Sommet sur les chantiers was supposed to ‘revolutionize’ the coordination of construction work across the city, but data shows that over 60 per cent of the recommendations from the partners have not been implemented.

Some of the recommendations included creating guidelines for mitigation measures, developming a common platform with all project owners, and evaluating contractors’ performances surrounding how they manage traffic impacts.

Documents obtained by Ensemble Montréal revealed that Mobilité Montréal’s communications committees and sub-committees did not meet for regular meetings in 2023. This committee is supposed to merge all the partners involved, including the City of Montreal and the Transport Ministry.

“Congestion has incalculable costs in terms of lost productivity, mental health, and the environment. Many other cities are using technology to ease traffic jams,” explained traffic expert Rick Leckner. “Montreal is years behind in the use of real-time data to maximize and prioritize mobility, particularly in terms of traffic light synchronization. The Montreal administration should be more proactive in finding solutions, and that means hiring a Mobility Commissioner.”

Ensemble Montréal wants the Plante administration to study the surface area occupied by private and public site managers to limit the amount of space that’s obstructed for drivers.

“For example, they could deploy smaller site trailers or less bulky signage,” reads the press release.

Ensemble Montréal also wants the City of Montreal to develop other methods to award contracts, rather than using the current system where the lowest bidder gets prioritized. This could allow more importance to be placed on special clauses, like the length of the project.

Additionally, they want the city to implement a planning system with all stakeholders, including boroughs, public agencies, and private contractors.

“Finally, the administration must accelerate the deployment of innovative technologies to offer Montrealers efficient, sustainable alternatives for their trips around town, as it promised to do five years ago. In fact, the City of Montreal received $50 million from the federal government in 2019 to do just that as part of the Smart Cities Challenge,” noted the press release.