Montreal residents are well-accustomed to dealing with road closures, diversions, and construction work, and their expertise in this area may prove beneficial with the upcoming road cycling world championships. Scheduled from September 20 to 27, the event will bring the world’s top cyclists to Montreal, where they will dominate the city streets, at times literally taking them over.
A portion of Park Avenue, between des Pins and Mont-Royal avenues, will be closed to traffic from September 5 to October 4 to accommodate the races’ conclusion and the construction of a temporary stadium capable of hosting up to 200,000 spectators. The championships will have an impact on seven boroughs and the City of Westmount, spanning 36 kilometers of the island’s road network, with some races extending to the South Shore and beyond.
While Park Avenue will be completely shut down throughout the championships, other streets will experience temporary closures on race days, reopening once the cyclists have passed through. City officials emphasize the importance of being prepared for the upcoming disruptions, encouraging residents to visit the championship’s website for detailed information and interactive maps showcasing real-time updates on race routes and affected areas.
Neighborhood closures will affect various aspects such as parking, bus routes, and municipal services like waste collection, with Ville-Marie and Plateau-Mont-Royal boroughs expected to bear the brunt of the impact. Alternative transportation modes such as the Metro and active transportation are recommended, as some bus routes will be diverted or canceled. Pedestrian walkways and crossways will be set up to ensure access to affected areas, and parking alternatives will be provided for residents.
The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) website outlines the impacted services, including the most affected bus lines, to assist people in planning their journeys. Public transit to and from the South Shore and Montérégie will also be disrupted on September 21, 22, 26, and 27. The Réseau de transport agglomération de Longueuil and Exo have detailed information on their respective websites and apps.
Despite the anticipated major disruptions, event organizers are striving to ensure Montrealers make the most of this unique experience. The road cycling world championships have not been held in Montreal since 1974, making this upcoming event a rare opportunity for residents to witness elite cycling competition right in their city.