Major construction, roadwork unveiled for next 10 years

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre has unveiled the city's plan to deal with its vast infrastructure needs over the next 10 years and Montrealers can expect to see more work on roads, sewers and the water system.

A recent study by the city found that 22 per cent of sewers, 14 per cent of the water system and 45 per cent of roads do not meet an acceptable level of service. 

Montreal expects to have completed work on about 295 kilometres of roads, aqueducts and sewers by the end of this year, but the city plans to tackle more crumbling infrastructure every year starting in 2017.

But downtown Montreal will get a break for next year's 375th anniversary after Coderre vowed that no construction will be carried out in the sector except for emergency repairs.

More traffic chaos

There will be a dramatic increase in work starting in 2017, when the city will take try to complete work and repairs on 676 kilometres of infrastructure each year. 

The construction plans are expected to cost $702 million per year, an increase of 89 per cent from 2016.

The new work will also likely have an impact on current construction and people's ability to get around the city. 

City administrators say they will try to minimize that impact on motorists and residents as best as they can.

A better water system

The city says that as a result of work carried out on sewers and aqueducts over the last 10 years, Montreal has had to produce less drinking water to make up for lost water through leaking pipes.

The city is obliged to present five-year infrastructure plans to the ministry of municipal affairs if it wants to receive grants for work on its water system. 

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Since 2006, Montreal has received about $1 billion in grants.