DANIEL JOHNSON BOULEVARD: AN URBAN CORRIDOR THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY – Chantal Dagenais, Road Safety Project Manager, CIMA +, Laval QC

As part of its roadway rehabilitation program, the City of Laval examined the need to preserve the current design of Daniel-Johnson Boulevard. This boulevard is one of the city’s important arterial roads, serving residential as well as commercial areas and providing direct access to the expressway system. With respect to the traffic conditions, the variety of uses in the vicinity of the boulevard generate motorized and non-motorized travel (pedestrians, cyclists). Although a bicycle path exists along a portion of the boulevard, the artery’s current environment strongly favours motorized travel, and conditions are not supportive of other road users. The high number of lanes exceeds the service demands/requirements within the sector and results in frequent lane changes, long pedestrian crossings, and high travel speeds. Figure 1 displays the boulevard in relation to the region’s road system (see appendices). With respect to the information given above, CIMA+ was asked by the City of Laval to develop a new concept for Daniel-Johnson Boulevard to better meet its users needs, and to increase their level of safety. This presentation demonstrates how the project in question can make a major innovative contribution to protecting and improving the environment and urban space while at the same time increase the artery’s safety and attractiveness.