The opening of Cavendish in details

Ever since it was announced that Cavendish would be opened, many citizens made it clear that they had some concerns regarding the project. Most of the residents who were against the idea of opening the boulevard reside in the Toupin neighbourhood.

Following a few meetings between the representatives of the Toupin sector and the borough managers, the two parties were able to make a few concessions and, according to a member of the citizens’ group, eventually reached a satisfying agreement. Therefore, many elements presented during the public meeting involved the Toupin neighbourhood and the measures that will be put in place to avoid a traffic increase.

However, some residents of Cavendish Boulevard and Duchesne Street mentioned that information about their respective streets was lacking and that they felt somehow ignored in this project. Here’s exactly how the opening of Cavendish will affect the surrounding parts of the borough.

Toupin Boulevard is located right in the middle of a residential where we can find three schools and two parks.

Still, it doesn’t stop many motorists from using it during rush hour because most of the time Marcel-Laurin Boulevard is completely jammed. But the Toupin sector must remain easily accessible as many children living in the Bois-Franc neighbourhood attend one of the three schools located there. Like Mayor Alan DeSousa mentioned, the goals are to disenclave Bois-Franc and to add a north-south road path and a cycling path while making sure the neighbourhood remains calm and peaceful.

First, the new Cavendish Boulevard will force drivers to turn either left or right on Henri-Bourassa. A median strip will be added on Henri-Bourassa, between Toupin/Cavendish and Duschesne. The access to Lafrance and Jasmin will then be limited and both streets will become one-way’s.

Marcel-Laurin/Laurentien Boulevard will receive a makeover as its traffic lights will be resynchronized and the part south of Henri-Bourassa will be repaved.

The lanes between Keller and Louisbourg streets on the southern part of Laurentian Boulevard will be realigned.

But even before opening Cavendish, the first step will be the addition of a second left-turning lane on Henri-Bourassa at the corner of Marcel-Laurin. In order to do so, one of the lanes going west will be eliminated. With that, the borough hopes part of the traffic will go onto Marcel-Laurin instead of Toupin.

The latter will also go through many changes. A cycling path will finally be added as well as curb extensions. The road available for motorists won’t be as large, even on Ahuntsic-Cartierville’s territory where it’s presently two-lane wide. The number of parking spaces on the side of the road will remain the same.

Finally, public transport in the area will be adjusted. A new train station on the Deux-Montagnes line will be built near the highway 13 intersection. The STM bus routes on Henri-Bourassa will also see some changes.

It’s not yet known when the road works will begin and according to Mayor DeSousa, there always a possibility that some modifications will be brought to the plans especially after all the comments and suggestions given by citizens on April 2.

(Plan: Courtesy)