Montreal has announced a $6.3-billion capital works plan that will begin in 2017 and carry on until 2019.
The total amount is an increase of over $1 billion from last year’s plan.
The increase stems mainly from road and infrastructure repairs, sewer work and transportation.
Montreal residents can expect a tax hike as they will be contributing over $1.4 billion in 2017.
One of the major costs in the plan is the $38.5 million being spent over three years to replace the Jacques Bizard Bridge.
Thirty-thousand drivers use it every day to travel from Île-Bizard to Pierrefonds and residents understand replacing the bridge is must.
“The bridge is at the end of its life,” one Île-Bizard resident said.
READ MORE: Jacques Bizard Bridge to be replaced at a cost of $100M
The problem surrounding replacing the bridge is the cost.
“They spend too much and it takes too much time,” Île-Bizard resident Sylvain Morand said. “Everything is always stretching out and it’s us people that pay the bills.”
Money isn’t the only headache that could be in the near future for residents.
Traffic could be a problem as major construction will be needed to replace it.
“Hopefully, they’ll be able to manage the peak hours by maintaining two lanes in the morning and two lanes in the afternoon,” traffic consultant Rick Leckner said.
The total cost of the new bridge will be $100 million.
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