MONTREAL -- The city of Montreal has earmarked $3.8 billion for public works spending over the next three years, with the focus on the city’s roads and water works, Mayor Laurent Blanchard announced Tuesday.
Three quarters of the capital plan money will go toward transportation infrastructure such as roads, bridges, tunnels and overpasses throughout the city, while the remaining money will be spent on waterworks.
“We will spend more than 1.18 billion on the water supply and sewage systems over the next three years,” said Blanchard.
The majority of the money spent on waterworks will go toward updating water treatment centres, including the ongoing work to the Atwater treatment facility.
A problem at the Atwater facility earlier this year left the overwhelming majority of Montreal residents without any drinking water for several days.
Blanchard said the city would also like to see an urban boulevard constructed near the Bonaventure Expressway, but plans are still in the developmental stage. While 60 per cent of the money for transportation infrastructure will be spent on repairing and maintaining exist work, another 40 per cent would be allotted for new projects.
Montreal has also allotted $11 million for bike paths.
Renovating city areas and pools and building a new soccer complex in Saint-Michel will cost tax payers another $132 million.
Blanchard said the city would finance all the money from existing budgets with help from Quebec and by borrowing the capital.
"We also intend not to borrow more than $60 million,” said Blanchard. “It's what Montrealers can afford to pay considering the tax they pay. With the $60 million borrowed, it won’t cost any more on taxes," said Blanchard.
Property taxes aren’t expected to rise as a result of the plan.
Vision Montreal's Louise Harel said she is pleased the spending plan was made public, but said it falls short of what was recommended by the city's auditor general.
“It’s more or less $100 million for roads,” she said, adding that the plan falls $200 million short when it comes to investing in the city’s water system.
