Montreal will host a high-speed race next year, but it will be far quieter than what takes place on Gilles Villeneuve racetrack.

The Formula E race cars will zip through the streets of Montreal's Gay Village and the outskirts of Old Montreal at speeds up to 220 km/h.

Under the terms of the three-year agreement Montreal will improve the streets that will be used as the race track, spending $4.5 million to do so.

The city will have to spend more to maintain roads if a three-year option to extend the deal is enacted.

The 2.75 km course runs from Papineau Ave. to Berri St., along René Levesque Blvd., Viger St., Notre Dame St. and St. Antoine St., surrounding the Radio Canada building and cutting off several hundred residents and businesses on the weekend.

The route will also cut across the entrance to the westbound Ville Marie Expressway.

Mayor Denis Coderre explained how residents would get to and from their homes.

“We will have some overpasses. We will talk with them. We will have a vigilant committee. We will talk with the citizens. There won't be any bad surprises,” he said.

Formula E uses city streets in London, Paris and Mexico City and drivers say they are ready for Montreal roads.

“Even if the track's a little bit bumpy, every urban track, every city has bumpy roads, but we are made for this. These cars are built for this. The drivers know, we expect it to be bumpy. We don't need to be flat surfaces or anything like that,” said driver Nelson Piquet Jr.

Coderre said the race will be a boon to Montreal during the 375th anniversary celebrations.

"It's more than just an event, it's a statement," said Coderre. “By participating in that race you contribute to saving the planet because you have an alternative, and everybody will say, 'Gosh, I should have an electric car,'” he said, adding that he expects it to be a tourism draw.

"It's going to fill up the hotels. It's going to be just during the week, the last week of construction holidays, so it's going to be packed."

Unlike other car races, Formula E drivers don't pull into a pit stop to switch tires or refuel.

Instead about halfway through the race, after about 22 laps, the drivers pull into the pit stop and switch cars.

Race drivers said the Formula E cars are slightly taller than their Formula One counterparts, with a suspension designed to handle city streets along with all-weather tires.

The race takes place the weekend of July 29 and 30, 2017.

Tickets go on sale in December.