Hampstead's Ellerdale Road to Undergo Complete Repaving This Summer
Motorists in Hampstead can look forward to smoother travels as the town prepares to repave the heavily deteriorated Ellerdale Road. The long-awaited project, which has been a top priority for local officials, is set to begin in June and will involve excavating and repaving the entire 600-meter stretch over approximately two months.
Road in Advanced State of Decay
Ellerdale Road has been in a pitiful condition for nearly a decade, with recent inspections revealing crumbling asphalt and exposed metal netting at intersections. The road was named one of the worst on the island of Montreal by CAA-Québec last year, highlighting its urgent need for rehabilitation. Despite weekly patch jobs by city crews, the roadway continued to deteriorate, affecting the more than 6,000 motorists who use it daily, including the No. 51 bus route connecting to the Snowdon métro station.
Contract Award and Project Details
The Hampstead council is expected to award a $990,000 paving contract to Roxboro Excavation at its upcoming meeting. Mayor Jeremy Levi expressed satisfaction with the bidding process, noting that nine companies submitted proposals—the largest number ever for road-rehabilitation work in the town. The bids came in approximately $300,000 under the initial budget, despite the town not receiving a provincial subsidy it had applied for.
Levi emphasized the public interest in the project, stating, "This has been our top priority, so we're going to make it happen at lightning speed." Once completed, the repaving will allow city crews to redirect their efforts to other areas needing attention.
Overcoming Infrastructure Concerns
A significant hurdle delaying the project was concerns about a 95-year-old water main running beneath Ellerdale Road. The 30-inch diameter pipe, owned by the city of Montreal, raised fears that repaving could cause ruptures and flood nearby homes. Hampstead had sought permission to repave as early as 2016 but received no response until last year.
After evaluation, Montreal city officials confirmed that the water main is in good repair with an estimated lifespan of another 30 years. Hugo Bourgoin, a city representative, stated in an email, "This conduit has no history of repairs since its installation, and an intervention is neither required nor planned. The Town of Hampstead can therefore proceed to pave Ellerdale without any problems."
Mayor Levi secured written assurances from Montreal regarding the pipe's condition and liability, finally clearing the way for the project late last year.
Traffic and Closure Plans
Motorists should prepare for road closures starting in June, though specific details on traffic rerouting are pending final contract approval. Ellerdale Road serves as a key link between Fielding Ave. in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and Isabella St. in Snowdon, providing access to the Décarie Expressway, making the temporary disruptions a necessary inconvenience for long-term improvement.
The repaving of Ellerdale Road marks a significant infrastructure investment for Hampstead, addressing years of complaints and safety concerns while enhancing connectivity for residents and commuters alike.
