Montreal Gets Creative to Mitigate Construction Impacts

"The city of Montreal will spend $3,800,000 to install giant, block-long inflated pergolas along Ste. Catherine St." reports CTV Montreal.

The inflatable arches are intended to create a buffer around a four-year construction project along St. Laurent and St. Denis. The project will begin in January 2018 and last until 2022, according to the article. During that time, decrepit sewers and water mains will be replaced, and the street will be reconfigured to widen and heat sidewalks and add a lane for bikes. "The plan is still in development, and over the next few months Montreal will solicit offers for technical studies to determine how feasible heated sidewalks are, and how much they would cost," according to the article. 

But back to the giant, expensive inflatable arches. "Designers said the idea is to provide the impression of walking along a corridor with a vaulted roof, similar to a large church, while still being able to see the stores on either side." Moreover, "Each inflatable, known as an Imago, would be about ten metres high, rising to the third floor of the buildings on the street, 14 metres wide, and stretch the entire length of the block."

Hat tip to Jen Kinney for sharing news of the project and the competition.