One of the most picturesque streets in the city – possibly even Canada – has turned into an eyesore, thanks to some unsightly road repairs.
Saint-Paul St. in Montreal is known for its historic cobblestones. But recently, a stretch of the street in front of the Marche Bonsecours was covered with a patch job that’s left an unsightly scar of black tar.
This tweet by local actor and comedian Laurent Paquin picture has been making some angry rounds on social media since it was posted Friday.
Au secours @DenisCoderre ! Quessé ça?! pic.twitter.com/5foUg4BJpQ
— Laurent Paquin (@Lpaq) October 10, 2014
Behind the black blemish is Gaz Metropolitain, who was doing some necessary work on natural gas lines underneath. It said it knows the work is unattractive, but said it is temporary.
New cobblestones aren’t set to be put in place for a while though – they’re slated for in 2016.
Rue St-Paul: il s'agit de travaux préparatoires Gaz Métro, travaux en vue chantier important de 2016. courtes fenêtrés printemps et automne
— DenisCoderre (@DenisCoderre) October 10, 2014
Mayor Denis Coderre later clarified that position, calling the work ugly and unacceptable, and said the city will do a "make-up job" and prepare a pattern, that imitates the real thing, over the current asphalt within the next two weeks.
Concernant le dossier inacceptable rue St-Paul.L'asphalte sera remplacé par des procédés de maquillage de la chaussée pour imiter les pavés
— DenisCoderre (@DenisCoderre) October 10, 2014
le procédé de maquillage de la chaussée pour imiter les pavés DEVRONT être complété d'ici 2 semaines au plus tard (dossier rue St-Paul)
— DenisCoderre (@DenisCoderre) October 10, 2014