The City of Montreal announced it's moving forward with plans to demolish and replace the aging Van Horne-Rosemont overpass and revitalize Rosemont Blvd. between Saint-Denis and Saint-Hubert.
"We have a choice to make whether to invest 10-15 million for a 10 year extension or to replace it," Executive Committee member Lionel Perez told CTV Montreal.
The city decided it would be best to take the long, $90-100 million dollar road.
To help with the project, officials launched a contest for new architectural and engineering designs.
"We think it's an opportunity to reinvigorate and embellish this sector to retain families and include concepts of active and public transport," Perez said. "And also, to be able to think outside the box. Do we want more space for pedestrians? A green corridor? These are examples of what we want to accomplish through this replacement project."
While most of the design process is still up in the air, one thing is for certain, the new overpass must be safer for cyclists.
Marc-Andre Gadoury, a member of the Municipal Transportation Committee says one of the city's top priorities is to make cycling safer in the area.
"We're putting new security around the St. Denis viaduct but we're going to up the ante in terms of the intersection and the east-west bike link," Gadoury explained. "Security, ease, comfort, those are qualities we're looking for."
The contest winner will be awarded in 2018 with demolition of the overpass starting not long after.