Phase two of the St. Catherine Street project continues, with more closures

The second phase of a decade-long project to renew Sainte-Catherine Street in downtown Montreal is underway – with a budget of $70 million.

The city and province's busiest commercial artery has been completely shut down between Stanley and Mansfield and will remain so for the next two years.

Traffic will be stopped around the square.

“It would be great if drivers could stay off these streets,” said Philippe Sabourin, a spokesman for the city of Montreal.

Work began on Monday, and people can expect the street to be closed until November 2024.

Saburin says that the construction works will take a break from November to February, giving the traders a break during the holidays, and that excavations will be more difficult in winter.

The full project will upgrade St. Catherine's west to Atwater.

Most of the work to be done this year will be focused on infrastructure, telecommunications, gas and electricity.

Sewer lines and pipes will be replaced, as well as underground infrastructure that is more than a century old.

Also, the sidewalks will be widened and the lawns will increase in 2025.

The city previously announced a one-time $5,000 grant for affected business owners, plus a $40,000 relief program for companies that can prove they lost money during the construction.

“Hopefully the winter will be over soon and a lot of construction should be done.”

St Catherine will only be open to local deliveries between Drummond and Mansfield.

Saburin explained that most of the work will be completed in 2024, and little will be done in 2025.

“It shouldn't take a whole year until November to complete the work in 2025,” he said.

The first phase of construction began in 2018 between Mansfield and Bluery, with Phillips Square and Union also underway.