Quebec launches Route 132 redevelopment office to remake Delson–Saint-Constant corridor
Quebec premier launches office for Route 132 redevelopment between Delson and Saint-Constant, with wider lanes, transit lanes, sidewalks and bike paths.
The Quebec government announced the creation of a project office Saturday to steer the Route 132 redevelopment between Delson and Saint‑Constant on Montreal’s South Shore. The Route 132 redevelopment was unveiled by Premier Christine Fréchette in her Sanguinet riding and is presented as both a transportation and development initiative.
Fréchette spoke in Saint‑Constant, where she said the project responds to long‑standing local demands for safer, more fluid travel and stronger integration of the highway into surrounding neighbourhoods. She framed the work as having significant real estate potential in addition to transportation benefits.
Announcement made in Saint‑Constant
The announcement was delivered in the heart of the premier’s constituency of Sanguinet, with Fréchette stressing her gratitude to local voters. She confirmed she will be leaving Sanguinet to seek election in Trois‑Rivières this autumn, but said she wanted to relaunch the Route 132 project before departing the riding.
Present at the event were Transport and Sustainable Mobility Minister Benoit Charette and Minister of Public Security Ian Lafrenière, along with the mayors of Saint‑Constant, Sainte‑Catherine and Delson. Municipal leaders underscored the project’s long-awaited status and the importance of a coordinated approach to local growth.
Planned upgrades and design elements
Officials said the current alignment of Route 132 has been determined and the redevelopment will include two lanes of traffic in each direction. The design also calls for a reserved lane for public transit, continuous sidewalks for pedestrians and dedicated cycling infrastructure to improve active transportation links.
Municipal sources highlighted that the changes are intended to balance higher traffic capacity with neighbourhood safety and urban design standards. The government emphasized that the project will aim for better multimodal integration rather than simply converting the corridor into a faster thoroughfare.
Project office mandate and composition
The newly created project office will bring together urban planners, engineers and other specialists to finalize technical plans and environmental assessments. Its immediate mandate is to prepare detailed designs, complete necessary studies and set a realistic schedule and budget for construction phases.
Ministers described the office as the entity that will move the file from preliminary design to actionable contracts and community consultations. The office is also expected to coordinate with municipal authorities on zoning, land use and any required property acquisitions.
Timeline, early funding and costs to be refined
Quebec officials indicated that the initial planning stage under the project office is expected to conclude by the end of 2027. While the overall construction timeline and total cost have not been finalized, Transport Minister Benoit Charette said the province already has funds allocated for the early phase, citing “a little more than $9 million” available at this stage.
Government spokespeople acknowledged that the full budget and detailed schedule will be released once the project office completes its studies and cost estimates. They said subsequent funding rounds and procurement timelines will depend on those findings and on consultations with affected municipalities.
Local leaders stress development and safety gains
Mayors of Saint‑Constant, Sainte‑Catherine and Delson welcomed the announcement as a decisive move toward long‑deferred improvements. Municipal leaders said the plan promises to reduce congestion, improve road safety and unlock opportunities for mixed‑use development along the corridor.
Community groups and urbanists will be watching how the project office balances mobility needs with neighbourhood character and environmental concerns. Officials committed to public engagement as part of the planning process and to releasing technical documents once they become available.
Quebec’s Route 132 redevelopment initiative now moves into a formal planning phase under the new project office, with officials promising more details and community consultations as studies progress toward the 2027 planning deadline.
