As the winter snow finally retreats and Montrealers emerge from hibernation, our city is preparing for another spectacular transformation. This summer, ten streets across the island will close to vehicle traffic, creating vibrant pedestrian spaces where locals and visitors can stroll, shop, and savor the season without dodging cars.
I’ve wandered these streets for years, watching how they change character when freed from traffic. There’s something magical about seeing children play freely while parents chat over coffee where taxis normally rush past. The air smells cleaner, conversations flow easier, and our city reveals itself in new ways.
The Société de développement commercial Montréal Centre-Ville announced an expanded program this year, adding three new pedestrian corridors to the popular existing network. According to Glenn Castanheira, the organization’s executive director, “The pedestrianization initiative has increased foot traffic by approximately 35% in participating commercial districts while boosting local business revenues by nearly 22% compared to pre-pedestrian summers.”
Wellington Street in Verdun returns as a pedestrian haven for the fifth consecutive year. The bustling commercial artery will transform from June 1 through September 30, stretching from Régina to 6th Avenue. Having covered the Wellington transformation since its inception, I’ve witnessed firsthand how this street has evolved from a car-dominated corridor to a community living room.
“Wellington’s pedestrianization changed everything for us,” explains Sophie Tremblay, owner of Librairie de Verdun. “Our weekend business doubled, and we’ve been able to host outdoor reading events that bring the community together in ways that weren’t possible before.”
Mont-Royal Avenue, perhaps Montreal’s most iconic pedestrian street, will extend its car-free zone this year from Saint-Laurent to Papineau. The Plateau-Mont-Royal borough has invested approximately $1.2 million in new street furniture, greenery, and performance spaces following record-breaking attendance last summer.
Mayor Valérie Plante recently shared during a press conference that “Montreal is becoming a model for urban transformation that prioritizes people over vehicles. These pedestrian streets aren’t just good for business—they’re essential to creating the kind of city where people want to live, work and play.”
New to the pedestrian lineup this year is a section of Notre-Dame Street in Lachine, which will close to vehicles from 6th Avenue to 19th Avenue on weekends only, creating a connection between the waterfront and local businesses. The borough has collaborated with Aire commune to design pop-up terrasses and cultural installations that celebrate Lachine’s maritime heritage.
Saint-Denis Street will continue its pedestrian tradition between Roy and Duluth, with the SDC Rue Saint-Denis adding more greenery and shade structures after feedback from last year showed visitors wanted more protection from summer heat.
Ontario Street East will join the pedestrian network for the first time, with a six-block stretch in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve closing to traffic from July through August. Having visited the area last week while researching this story, I noticed the excitement among local shop owners as they prepared outdoor displays and seating areas.
In Saint-Henri, Notre-Dame Street West will pedestrianize between Atwater and Rose-de-Lima on weekends, creating a continuous car-free corridor connecting Atwater Market to the heart of the neighborhood.
The Old Port will expand its pedestrian zone to include Saint-Paul Street from Place Jacques-Cartier to McGill Street, complementing the already car-free sections that draw thousands of tourists daily. Tourisme Montréal estimates these pedestrian zones contributed to a 15% increase in visitor spending within Old Montreal last summer.
