Ville de Montréal 2010 Budget - Three-Year Capital Works Program for
2010-2012 - Montréal invests $3.1 billion in the city's future

MONTREAL , Jan. 13 /CNW Telbec/ - The Three-Year Capital Works Program stands at $3.1 billion . This program, which provides for investments of $774.5 million in 2010, will enable Montréal to maintain its development priorities and take on a leadership role as the metropolis of Québec.

However, the investment budget for 2010 will be 33% lower compared to that of 2009, because of a request by the Mayor of Montréal to review the entire process involving the granting and management of public contracts. This revision is underway and will result in improved efficiency. Consequently, the mechanisms involving bids and awarding public contracts, project management and supply mechanisms will be re-examined.

"I asked to rein in the Three-Year Capital Works Program in 2010, to give us time to adjust our management process. This strategic decision will help Montréal become a model city when it comes to awarding contracts, rigorous investment management and ethics. Once this exercise is completed, ratepayers will get more for their money, and the work will be completed at a lesser cost," said the Mayor of Montréal.

"The lower capital works program will give us the opportunity to follow up on our administration's pressing commitments, while continuing the work already underway. During that assessment period, additional work may be undertaken, if it involves public safety or the payment of financial assistance by government or a private partner," said Alan DeSousa, Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee responsible for finance.

Other projects included in the 2010 capital works program will be awarded once the management framework has been reviewed.

Maintaining large economic and cultural development projects: $120 million in 2010-2010

Economic development projects involving the Bonaventure Expressway, redevelopment of the L'Acadie-Chabanel sector, development of L'Île-des-Soeurs and Angus technopole, as well as the enhancement of the boulevard De Maisonneuve in the Concordia University sector remain a priority.

In the field of culture and heritage, the flagship Quartier des spectacles project will continue with investments of $34 million until 2011. A sum of $3.9 million is earmarked to enhance heritage buildings, and $5 million will go toward redeveloping public property in Old Montréal. The redevelopment of square Dorchester will be completed, for the most part, in 2010.

Investing in the Nature Museums

Approximately $11.2 million will be spent on various capital works involving the Nature Museums in 2010, $4.6 million of which will be allocated to the construction of a new Planetarium. Once construction is completed in 2012, this LEED Platinum building will feature new immersive-environment entertainment halls. Also in 2010, the public will be invited to learn more about biodiversity at the Montréal Biodiversity Centre, which will feature large natural collections and bring together some 50 researchers.

Once completed, these investments will enable the Nature Museums complex to become the first facility in the world dedicated to Man and nature.

Investing in sports facilities

A sum of $6.3 million is earmarked for a new indoor soccer centre near the Complexe environnemental de Saint-Michel in the Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension borough, as well as $11.7 million for a multipurpose centre in the Saint-Laurent borough. In 2010, the three-year capital works program has earmarked more than $10 million to upgrade four arenas: Henri-Bourassa in the Montréal-Nord borough; Camillien-Houde in the Ville-Marie borough; Jacques-Lemaire in the LaSalle borough and Howie-Morenz in the Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension borough.

Continuing projects to upgrade water and road infrastructures

Investments in water infrastructures will reach $1,053 million over the next three years. This will help the city to carry out work, in a consistent manner, to upgrade the water production plants and bring these facilities up to standard. Other projects aim at repairing and improving water infrastructures.

Montréal will invest $775 million in roads, bridges, traffic lights and other road-network related elements. A sum of $21.4 million will be invested in bicycle paths over a three-year period, with $7.5 million to be spent in 2010. Projects for 2010 include improving access roads to the Montréal-Trudeau Airport, at a cost of $6.6 million , and connecting Cavendish and Henri-Bourassa boulevards, at a cost of $3.8 million .

"The investments that we will be making over the next three years will help to improve the quality of life of Montrealers, while positioning our metropolis on the international scene as a creative city," concluded Mayor Tremblay .

For further information: Patricia Lowe, Relations avec les médias, [phone]; Source: Darren Becker, Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif, [phone]