Part of Docteur-Penfield Ave. downtown shut down for 8 years of major construction
Posted August 18, 2025 3:03 pm.
Last Updated August 18, 2025 4:53 pm.
Docteur-Penfield Avenue in downtown Montreal is shut down between McTavish and Pine Avenue for construction that’s set to last eight years.
The City says it’s necessary in order to upgrade the water pumping station just above Rutherford park — that’s almost 100 years old.
Philippe Sabourin, a spokesperson for the City, says he “understands it’s going to be a painful time for motorists,” but “1.2 million citizens depend on that water tank. So we have to act in order to secure the drinking water for 1.2 million citizens. It’s a long journey.”
Sabourin referred to the McTavish Reservoir as the “heart” of the water system in Montreal.
They’ve been planning the project for the last 15 years and it’s expected to cost $250 million by the time work is scheduled to be completed in 2033.
The first two years of the project will be preparatory work and six years will be needed to replace the aging infrastructure.
“So there’s the electricity system needed to be updated, we need to dig around the hill,” said Sabourin.
Motorists can use a section of Pine Avenue, which became a two-way street between Docteur-Penfield and Peel Street.
“There’s one lane per direction or Sherbrooke would be another alternative,” said Sabourin.
Pedestrian access will be maintained in the construction zone.
