A week before the Montreal Cycling Grand Prix, Camillien-Houde Road and Remembrance Road still seem unable to properly accommodate the world’s elite.
Several locations still need to be repaired before the 12th presentation of the cycling race can begin on Sunday, September 10th. The event will be broadcast for more than five hours in 130 countries.
Photo Jean-Louis Fortin
The most affected section is on the Camillien-Houde route and then on the Remembrance road, which allows you to climb Mount Royal from Avenue du Parc.
Photo Jean-Louis Fortin
On the way up we no longer count the cracks and bumps in the road. In recent years, some have been filled in through makeshift repairs and are beginning to fall into disrepair. The photos were taken on Thursday evening.
Photo Jean-Louis Fortin
crater
Once the peloton clears the top of the mountain and heads down Remembrance Road, they must avoid several craters at speeds of more than 70 km/h, including a deep pothole on the side that is at least 60 cm long. right.
Photo Jean-Louis Fortin
Fortunately, other sections of the route that have been paved in recent years are less bumpy, such as the Avenue du Parc or the Chemin de la Tour, which leads to the famous Côte de Polytechnique.
Several cyclists contacted by Le Journal criticized the condition of the route on Camilien-Houde. At least one regular said it was better than last year.
Photo Jean-Louis Fortin
Silence in the city
Mayor Valérie Plante’s office referred us to the press department for comment. The communications department did not respond to our request beyond an acknowledgment of receipt.
Photo Jean-Louis Fortin
However, the organizer and CEO of the event, Sébastien Arsenault, mentioned that the four districts have been working on it since August 20.
As every year, the Grand Prix Cyclists of Quebec and Montreal (GPCQM) teams are working with the cities to inform them of the places where intervention is required.
In the metropolis, each district independently plans interventions in the roadway.
Photo Jean-Louis Fortin
“Earlier this week, the response team requested a final intervention on a longitudinal crack, which was to be carried out in the coming days. Next week some further arrangements will be made for the street furniture,” explained Mr. Arsenault.
The Plante administration must soon present its plan for the Camillien Houde route and Remembrance road. Among the scenarios considered, we particularly want to improve the safety of cyclists, but without completely banning cars.
Final spurt
In both Quebec and Montreal, last-minute work is often carried out in the days leading up to the competition.
In Quebec, work was completed on Place George-V in front of the military armory, where the start and finish lines are located.
“The work and repairs will be completed in time for the Grand Prix, but there are still some obstacles, including in front of the town hall,” said Quebec City spokesman Jean-Pascal Lavoie.
-In collaboration with Jean-Louis Fortin