Transport Quebec is putting the brakes on a $2.8-million renovation project to renovate Viger Square in time for Montreal's 375th anniversary.
The city announced the project last year, and the makeover started last November, with the first phase slated to be completed by this November.
So far, however, the park is far from complete, with construction fences surrounding the stalled worksite.
“There are a lot of people who are not using the park,” said Valerie Plante, Projet Montreal city councillor for the Ville-Marie borough.“I’m talking about homeless people, I’m talking about employees of the CHUM – and nothing is going on.
The stalled work is due to pending approval from Transport Quebec, because some of the work being done is directly above the Viger Tunnel.
“We need to clarify the number of pergolas they were going to demolish or remove since it will have an impact on the structural capacity of the Viger Tunnel,” said Transport Quebec spokesperson Sarah Bensadoun.
Transport Quebec said it is waiting for detailed plans from the city in order to ensure their plan is safe, but Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre says this will not delay the project.
“Everything is in order. There was a little delay but everything will be prepared for November, by Nov. 3, I think,” he said, adding that he is pleased with the progress.
“I’m pretty pleased to see the way it's turning out. It’s going to be a wonderful project and everything is on time. No problem,” he said.
The opposition isn't convinced the city will meet the deadline.
“I think the mayor's team is trying to prove that it’s going to be done by November, but there is very little chance that it will be done,” said Plante.
