Montreal, June 19, 2008 – Les amis de la montagne presented their memorandum as part of the public consultations on the project of a ring road and north-south roads in the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District on June 19th, conducted by the Office de consultation publique de Montréal.

“The ring road and north-south roads project is a sound project for the mountain,” said Sylvie Guilbault, Executive Director of the organization. “The idea was first approved in 1990 during the public consultations held on the original master plan for Mount Royal. It’s a project that will reinforce the understanding of the territory of the historic and natural district, and that will encourage users to discover the mountain’s natural, landscape, built and commemorative heritage.”

“Although only two of the three summits of the mountain are included in the project,” she added, “the roads will allow for organized exploration outside the limits of Mount Royal Park, a first for the mountain.”

Despite Les amis de la montagne’s enthusiastic support for the concept of the ring road and north-south roads, as much for what they represent as for their future potential, several concrete question remained unanswered.

First, the project must avoid giving the impression that it consists of six divided sections spanning three boroughs, rather than a single ring road on the mountain. On top of the project’s planned development, the concept must be supported by correspondingly appropriate management practices that meet the high quality of standards expected for a site of such emblematic importance.

“What are the means being deployed for this project, what staffing will be assigned to it and which borough will be responsible?” asked Sylvie Guilbault. “The project presentation has not made reference to these crucial elements. While the city is preparing to add a dozen kilometers of public infrastructure on the mountain, it is essential that an efficient management model be integrated in the planning.”

For instance, there are several staircases leading to the park from downtown that remained closed for months due to divided responsibilities or insufficient maintenance. The management of the ring road and north-south roads project must be accompanied by an adequate and recurring operating budget, essential to the daily and long-term upkeep of the roads.

Finally, to ensure full ownership of this collective project, Les amis de la montagne believe that responsibility for the project should not rest solely with the City of Montreal, but rather be taken up by the Table de concertation du Mont-Royal, which unites all interested parties on the mountain.

Les amis de la montagne’s memorandum is available (in French) by clicking here.