Concordia Journal Home > Archives > October 1, 2009 issue >

Downtown construction update 

 

It may still be a bit inconvenient to navigate through the construction happening downtown, but Director of Facilities Planning and Development Martine Lehoux assures, “We’re in the middle of it, but I think the worst parts are over.”

Thanking the community for its patience, Lehoux states the construction is contributing to the Quartier Concordia project, the multi-year plan to revamp our downtown campus.

Here’s the latest:

• Exterior work on the tunnel along De Maisonneuve Blvd will be completed by early Oct. The interior work continues for the Dec. 2009 opening.

• Work has now begun on the resurfacing of the sidewalks in front of the GM Building along De Maisonneuve Blvd and Guy St.

• The city is rebuilding the south side of Place Bethune in two phases. The first phase, taking place now, concentrates on building the new sidewalk at the eastern part of the GM Building and at the metro entrance. It will allow a temporary entrance/exit to the GM Building from the west side only, starting at the southeast corner of Guy and De Maisonneuve intersection. This will continue until early October. This second phase, continuing into November, will concentrate on the balance of the work, and allow a temporary entrance to the GM from the east side along the newly constructed south sidewalk. The south side of Place Bethune is expected to be open by mid-December.

Next summer, the construction will continue along De Maisonneuve between the Hall and LB Buildings in cooperation with the city. Plans include expanding the bike path and sidewalk, as well as installing “urban furniture” such as benches and tables.