Here is a major update in urban planning and real estate on Montreal’s South Shore.

Taschereau Boulevard, long known for its wide car lanes, is about to enter a new era—one of sustainable mobility.

Longueuil and Brossard, through their mayors Catherine Fournier and Doreen Assaad, have announced a historic agreement to redesign Taschereau Boulevard.

The goal is clear: reduce space for cars to make room for public transit, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Mayor Fournier stated.” This is a unique opportunity to transform a historically car-centric artery into an “innovative and thoughtful project.”

At the core of this transformation is the implementation of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

The BRT will connect the REM’s Panama station to the Longueuil–Université-de-Sherbrooke metro station along an 8.75 km reserved lane.

The construction will be carried out in two phases.

In addition to dedicated bus lanes (eventually centered on the roadway), protected bike paths and sidewalks separated by medians will be built. Tree planting and greening efforts are also planned.

While this may reduce some car lanes, the exact number will depend on available space in each sector.

The total estimated cost of this major project is $500 million.

This initiative is especially significant given that previous large-scale proposals for Taschereau—such as the LEEO tramway in 2020 or the east-west REM—never materialized.

The mayors affirm that this time is different, thanks to a shared vision and unprecedented collaboration between the two cities.

Beyond the surface, the project will also include the restoration of aging underground infrastructure and increased wastewater treatment capacity.

A reimagined Taschereau Boulevard could accommodate 30,000 new housing units through the development of new neighborhoods.

The mayors also aim to free up 55,000 square meters of office space.

While no precise timeline has been announced, the goal is to complete the project within a few years, under the management of Mobilité Infra Québec.

Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault is reportedly very open to a substantial contribution from the provincial government, recognizing the BRT’s advantage of being faster and more cost-effective to implement

while laying the groundwork for a future tramway.

A recent survey showed that 80% of South Shore residents oppose any elevated structure that would mar the Taschereau landscape, and many view the BRT as a very appealing alternative.

The mayors are confident that the project is both “realistic” and “reasonable,” offering mobility options for everyone: cars, bikes, walking, and public transit.

This project does not aim to eliminate cars but to transform Taschereau into a truly multifunctional artery—especially important as it is the fifth busiest corridor in Quebec, with 58,000 daily trips.