Is it possible that driving downtown could get even harder? Maybe.
During Monday's City Council meeting, Projet Montreal interim leader Luc Ferrandez questioned the Mayor about a "secret" study that is researching the idea of adding reserved bus lanes to Rosemont and Marcel-Laurin Blvds., de Lorimier and Papineau (between Crémazie and Sherbrooke) Aves., Saint-Denis and Sherbrooke Sts., Saint-Laurent Blvd. and St. Urbain St.
To help make the new reserved lanes, that are also to be shared with cyclists, some of the major arteries would be transformed into one way streets. One example would see parallel streets such as de Lorimier and Papineau changed to be one way in opposite directions.
The plan was found in leaked STM documents obtained by Projet Montreal.
Ferrandez accused the Mayor of trying to adopt major road changes that could cause serious traffic issues without ever discussing the plan with the boroughs involved, and without public consultations.
Mayor Denis Coderre did not deny the leaked plans, but said the city is only in the planning stages and is still considering all of its options. He added any and all changes will be made in an inclusive and integrated manner.
Ferrandez though did not seem swayed, saying his party had been promised a meeting with the STM to discuss the potential road changes, but had it cancelled at the last minute due to so called "political reasons."