I have been cycling the Aqueduct Bicycle Path since my youth. The Aqueduct Bicycle Path is one of LaSalle’s three bicycle paths providing a dedicated cycling route downtown. Over the years this path became neglected while the Lachine Canal and LaSalle boulevard paths have had many improvements. This has changed. The city completed some repairs and upgrades on the Aqueduct path and more are planned for 2024.
Some Background
Originally, the path provided access to the hydro pylons and the aqueduct. The city did not consider the cyclist experience during the design. Minimalist landscaping lined the path. Commonly, non-native species of plants that were low maintenance were used. An uneven expanse of grass filled the gap between the path and Champlain St. on one side. A plain chain-link fence bordered the path from the aqueduct on the other side. Civil servants imposed these designs in most of the architecture of the 1970s. It was brutal and mostly everyone at that time knew it was wrong.
I want to clarify. I cycle for enjoyment and commuting to work. My cycling gear does not include anything remotely exceptional or luxurious. I am not part of the community that is trying to build a more expansive bicycle network at the expense of road traffic. My attention is on how the city maintains and designs public spaces. A poorly maintained bicycle path that otherwise has so much potential is an insult to residents. Keeping positive, I repeat there have been improvements and that is what I want to highlight.
Problems of the Aqueduct Bicycle Path
Over time, the shrubbery between the bicycle path and Champlain Street grew into a green canopy. The cyclist’s view was a mess of crossed branches supported by trunks growing among scattered trash. A sanctuary for an unwelcome population of insects and spiders. Further from the shrubbery the grass was soon unkept dandelions. The fence contained an equally messy arrangement of unmaintained shrubbery. Occasionally a city worker would mow the weeds cutting the white or yellow dandelions flowers down. The lack of care was apparent. Well kept expanses of grass without weeds was something I would only see in other cities and towns.
The asphalt surface of the path degraded, cracked and warped. It became a wavy bumpy surface. Often, cyclists elected to ride on adjacent Champlain st. with the traffic. They risked a possible collision with an automobile versus a dented bike wheel.
Depressions in the path would form small lakes after each rainfall. Accumulations of water might be around several days. If you peddled through, the rain puddle was deep enough that you would soak your feet. If your plan was to speed up and charge through the rain puddle with your feet in the air. You would be disappointed because the water would slow your momentum to a halt before you made it across. The puddles were that big.
The 5 of the 7 road crossings could have been better planned when the trail was first laid down. The most common problem was the location of the bicycle path crossing adjacent to a road intersection. A motorist would turn onto the intersecting street and meet the bicycle crossing 15 meters later. Many motorist would simply ignore the crosswalk markings feeling that they had already done their stopping a few meters earlier.
Improvements
About 10 years ago the Verdun borough redesigned some landscaping on part of their section of the bicycle path. Verdun replaced a grass lawn with wildflowers near the Douglas Hospital. It was a good idea. The wildflowers helped local insects and bees. LaSalle is now following the example. Patches of wildflowers is better than overgrown bushes.
Hydro-Quebec replaced some hydro pylons. They took care to move a few across the way to run through a nearby water-treatment plant and sub-station clearing up the arial view. The city sub-contracted some workers with special equipment to mow down all the overgrown shrubbery along the path opening up the view in many places. The view for the people cycling the Aqueduct path improved.
The city improved two crossings. Jolicoeur & Stephens have the trail moved to meet the roadway at the road intersection. One crossing for cars and bicycles were everyone is visible and sharing a common set of traffic signals. A much safer solution.
LaSalle did a major improvement by lifting, repaving and landscaping the trail in LaSalle west of Crawford until 2nd avenue. with wildflowers, benches and even a bicycle repair station. This is a huge improvement. There will no longer be an accumulation of water after rainfall. It will be possible to sit down for a break. The bicycle repair station will be a place that kids can fill their tires.
What will the city do next?
I am hopeful that the three remaining crossing are improved in the same manner. Concretely I know that LaSalle has planned to repair the trail surface from 2nd Avenue all the way to Bishop Power. Who knows, maybe they will make the repairs all the way to LaSalle boulevard next.
I will revisit this topic once the cycling year of 2024 is over.
The city of Montreal provides bicycle trail maps that include LaSalle, click here.