Traffic around Royalmount: The worst is yet to come

Traffic around Royalmount Centre, which has been open for two weeks, is expected to increase in the coming months. The megaproject's promoter hopes more customers will drive there, adding to congestion on the already troubled Highways 40 and Decorah.

According to the developer's estimates, half of the users currently go there by public transport. In the coming weeks, 70% of customers will go there by car, which will increase traffic.

“Gateway [utilisée par les usagers du métro] It currently has about 50% traffic,” said Claude Marcotte, executive vice president and partner at CarbonLeo, the developer behind the new shopping center, which opened its doors on September 5.

Claude Marcotte, executive vice-president and partner at Carbonlio, in Montreal, Thursday, September 19, 2024. Photo by Amanda Moison/Agence QMI

Amanda Moison/ QMI Agency

Hence customer transportation habits are going to change.

According to Jean-Philippe Meloche, a professor at the School of Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture at the University of Montreal, the already busy area will get busier in the coming weeks, especially as the project progresses.

Jean-Philippe Meloche, Professor at the School of Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture at the University of Montreal. Photo by Amanda Moison/ Agency QMI

Amanda Moison/ QMI Agency

“We're adding vehicles that disrupt peak hours, especially in the evening. “It's a very loaded sector with cars and this type of use is usually done by car, so it should increase travel,” he said.

170 stores have been opened in the first phase of the project.

Since Royalmount opened its doors, 50% of these stores have been open and the rest will gradually open between now and Christmas.

Solutions are needed

According to Oren Sebag, a municipal councilor from the city of Côte-Saint-Luc, the situation will not improve if no solution is put in place.

“The opening of Royalmount has worsened the already very difficult situation in Decori, but also on all the surrounding minor arteries. Traffic jams are not unheard of. It's bound to get worse, especially with the houses they want to build,” he affirmed.

Oren Sebag, municipal councilor of the City of Côte-Saint-Luc in Montreal, Thursday, September 19, 2024. Photo by Amanda Moison/Agence QMI

Amanda Moison/ QMI Agency

For his part, Carbonlio doesn't believe the opening of Royalmount has increased traffic at the corner of Decoree and 40 highways.

The real estate development and management company defends itself by suggesting necessary measures such as the installation of a pedestrian bridge over the Dicari highway and the addition of two lanes to the Chemin de la Côte-de-Lisse to facilitate access for motorists. .

“These interventions will significantly improve access to the sector. No, Royalmount has not worsened the situation, but rather improved road traffic,” maintained Mr. Marcotte, adding that nearly 400,000 vehicles already travel each day at the intersection of highways 15 and 40, one of the busiest sectors in the country.

at the New Royalmount Shopping Centre, Montreal, Thursday, September 19, 2024. Photo by Amanda Moison/Agence QMI

Amanda Moison/ QMI Agency

Easy by metro, difficult by car

When the QMI agency visited the site, several users mentioned that they used public transport.

“It's done well, it's very accessible,” said one customer, whose metro journey lasted less than an hour.

According to motorists, it is not easy to reach there by car.

“Already have [du trafic]And there, since the beginning, there are more,” said another motorist.