Pierrefonds-Roxboro completes two projects to improve safety and quality of life

The Borough of Pierrefonds-Roxboro has completed a major redevelopment of Boulevard Lalande and Parc de la Promenade-Lalande, transforming a stretch of road that residents have long considered dangerous.

The project covers a 1.3-kilometre section of Boulevard Lalande along the Rivière des Prairies, between rue Saraguay and rue Colonial.

The roadway has been converted to one-way eastbound traffic and now includes two dedicated bike lanes and a sidewalk

“These accomplishments reflect our commitment to creating living environments that make a tangible difference in the daily lives of our residents,” Pierrefonds-Roxboro Mayor Dimitrios (Jim) Beis said.

The changes come more than five years after a 15-year-old girl was killed while walking to her school bus stop along Boulevard Lalande.

The teenager was struck by a car on June 17, 2021, while walking along the shoulder of the road, which did not have a sidewalk at the time and carried two-way traffic.

Residents like Libby Koukourakis told CityNews that the new sidewalk is a welcome improvement, and that it was only a “matter of time” before something akin to the accident would happen.

“We didn’t know if she was alive. We didn’t know if she was dead, but I could see the parents. They were in shock. We were all in shock,” she said.

Other Pierrefonds-Roxboro residents like Michel say they worry the new one-way road will come with bottlenecks for traffic.

“Every time buses pull out, and with parents from the high schools coming to pick up their kids nearby, it causes a massive bottleneck,” he said.

Parc de la Promenade-Lalande

Alongside the roadway improvements, Parc de la Promenade-Lalande has also been revitalized with new seating and gathering areas, urban furniture and landscaping.

The borough also stabilized an eroded section of the Rivière des Prairies shoreline and planted 75 trees and 8,500 shrubs and perennials to promote biodiversity and strengthen the shoreline’s resilience.

The work aims to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists while enhancing access to the waterfront.

The total cost of the Boulevard Lalande and park redevelopment was $4.5 million.

“The redevelopment of boulevard Lalande and parc de la Promenade-Lalande has made travel safer for all users while helping protect the shoreline of Rivière des Prairies,” Beis said.

Parc Olympia gets $1.5-million upgrade

Parc Olympia has also been modernized through a $1.5-million investment stemming from Montréal’s Participatory Budget.

The upgrades include new playground equipment, a fitness area, an improved basketball court, rehabilitated pathways, better lighting and new landscaping. The project also introduced small public gathering spaces designed to encourage community interaction.

More than 17,000 people participated in the process that led to the selection of the winning Participatory Budget projects.

The initiative was among the winning projects selected through Montréal’s Participatory Budget, which allows residents to propose ideas and vote on projects for the city. More than 17,000 people participated in the process that led to the selection of the successful projects.

“As for parc Olympia, it now offers modern, accessible facilities tailored to the needs of families,” Beis said.