[PHOTOS] $19.8M to improve “fluidity” at Chute-Montmorency Park

Sépaq announced investments of $19.8M on Thursday with the aim of improving accessibility and fluidity at Chute-Montmorency Park, two major issues in the eyes of the Quebec government.

“When you show up at the gatehouse on the busiest days, things get jammed [sur l’avenue Royale et le boulevard des Chutes] because it’s too popular. But a site like this cannot be too popular,” argued the minister responsible for the National Capital, Jonatan Julien.

To stem the problems of heavy traffic and the lack of parking spaces, the parking lot at the top of the waterfall and the entrance to the site will be relocated further north, as previously learned. The Journal last June.

The space for parking your vehicle will increase from 135 to 300 spaces. The access gatehouse will be replaced by a payment system at the terminal. The work, which will begin in the coming weeks, will also include the creation of English gardens where the current parking lot is located.

Ready “to take advantage” in 2026

“I was given the guarantee that everything would be finished by the summer of 2026, that is to say to benefit from it in the summer of 2026,” assured Mr. Julien, taking a look at the new president and CEO. of Sépaq, Martin Soucy.

The latter stressed that the site would remain open for the duration of the project. “We recommend that people prioritize parking in the lower part to help us.”

The two men are hopeful that the work announced Thursday will be completed on time, since it is a “more conventional” project, as Minister Julien mentioned, obviously referring to the fiasco of the semi-submersible gateway.

Budget revised upwards

This announcement is part of the budget envelope of $48.4M mentioned in 2019, during the unveiling of phase two of the vast redevelopment project of the second most visited tourist site in the National Capital.

Since then, Sépaq has reiterated on several occasions that it wanted to avoid additional costs for taxpayers. However, Mr. Soucy revealed that the project budget had been revised upwards due to various economic factors linked to the pandemic.

The budget allocated to the project was increased by $5.5M in new money to stand at $53.9M. The government organization that manages the national parks now wants to complete the massive project without further cost overruns.

To do this, the redevelopment of the interior of the Manoir Montmorency was avoided.

Mysterious gateway

Asked about the fate of the semi-submersible bridge at the origin of a saga which has continued since its announcement in 2018, Martin Soucy remained very cautious since the case has been brought to justice.

Remember that Sépaq initiated a $17M lawsuit against the designers of the project, a consortium formed by the firms Tetra Tech QI and CIMA+ SENC, in June 2024.

Mr. Soucy maintained that no other project was currently in the works to replace what was announced as the jewel of the Chute Experience. New investments will be concentrated only in the upper part of the park.

“Fluidity” at $19.8M

• Relocation and improvement of the parking lot at the top of the falls, which will increase from 135 to 300 spaces;
• Reconfiguration of access to the park from Boulevard des Chutes;
• Replacement of the entrance gatehouse with a payment system at the terminal or via an application;
• Development of English gardens where the parking lot is currently located;
• Upgrading and raising various hiking trails.