Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie has completed the first phase of a project designed to make routes around La Petite-Patrie school safer for children, families and nearby residents.
The borough announced on October 27, 2026, that it had secured nine laneways by limiting through traffic and installing planter boxes at some entrances.
The work follows street reconfigurations and the addition of cycling infrastructure in the area during the summer.
The changes are intended to reduce vehicle traffic that does not need to enter the neighbourhood while preserving access for residents and local activities.
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What changed around the school area
The project centres on the area around Drolet Street and Henri-Julien Avenue, between Mozart Avenue East and de Bellechasse Street.
As part of the first phase, Drolet Street was converted to one-way travel southbound, while Henri-Julien Avenue was reconfigured for northbound traffic.
The borough also created marked school drop-off areas and buffer zones on the roadway.
Existing parking spaces, including accessible parking spaces, were maintained under the plan.
The nine laneways were addressed because they were being used as routes for vehicle traffic passing through the school area.
Planter boxes at selected entrances are intended to discourage that movement without eliminating local access.
Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie says community needs shaped the design
Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie said it reviewed traffic patterns and conducted field observations before finalizing the project.
Municipal staff consulted school and commercial communities, as well as people living nearby.
The design was adjusted during planning to account for deliveries, snow clearing, supply access and customer parking.
That balancing process is important in an area where school travel overlaps with commercial activity and residential parking needs.
The borough says the objective is to reduce conflicts rather than remove access to the area entirely.
More construction planned for 2027
The first phase is not the final stage of the La Petite-Patrie school neighbourhood project.
Plans for 2027 call for greened curb extensions to shorten pedestrian crossing distances and add vegetation.
The borough also intends to reinforce the marked drop-off areas with concrete extensions.
The future work is expected to improve visibility and clarify how vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians move around the school.
It is also intended to support biodiversity and create a more comfortable public space.
A wider school-neighbourhood program
The project is part of Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie’s school-neighbourhood program, launched in spring 2026.
The program aims to improve safety, active transportation and greening around schools across the borough.
Municipal officials describe schools as community hubs that remain active beyond the school day through cultural programs, recreation and summer activities.
The borough has identified roughly 40 educational institutions as part of the broader local context for the program.
Projects are planned according to the layout of each area, the presence of commercial streets and parks, traffic conditions and feedback from residents.
Another 2026 project around Rose-des-Vents and Louis-Hébert schools included changes to the 5th, 6th and 8th avenues, a green school forecourt, safer crossings and new street furniture.
Additional work has also been planned around the Saint-Jean-de-Brébeuf and Sainte-Bibiane–Saint-François-Solano school areas, including one-way traffic changes on Holt and Dandurand streets and cycling-route improvements.
What residents can expect next
For residents and parents, the immediate change is a quieter network of laneways and revised vehicle movements near La Petite-Patrie school.
Drivers should follow the new one-way arrangements and respect the designated drop-off areas.
People walking or cycling through the neighbourhood should also expect the street layout and traffic patterns to differ from earlier in 2026.
The borough says the next phase will focus on permanent public-realm improvements rather than simply adding signs or temporary barriers.
Timing and construction details for the 2027 work will determine how quickly the school-area redesign is completed.
The project reflects Montreal’s broader road-safety approach, which seeks to reduce serious injuries and deaths through changes to street design, vehicle movement and pedestrian infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was completed in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie?
The borough completed the first phase of a school-area safety project around La Petite-Patrie school and secured nine laneways by limiting through traffic.
Where is the project located?
The project is focused around Drolet Street and Henri-Julien Avenue, between Mozart Avenue East and de Bellechasse Street, in Montreal’s Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie borough.
What changes were made to nearby streets?
Drolet Street was changed to southbound one-way travel, Henri-Julien Avenue was reconfigured northbound, and marked school drop-off areas and buffer zones were added.
What is planned for 2027?
The next phase is expected to add greened curb extensions and concrete features to strengthen school drop-off areas and improve pedestrian safety.
Why were the laneways secured?
The borough said the measures are intended to reduce vehicle through traffic while preserving local access for residents, businesses, deliveries and snow clearing.
Fact-Checked: Key dates, street changes, the nine secured laneways and planned 2027 improvements were checked against official City of Montréal and Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie information. ([montreal.ca](https://montreal.ca/actualites/phase-1-du-quartier-ecole-la-petite-patrie-completee-neuf-ruelles-securisees-121255?utm_source=openai))
Disclaimer: Street configurations and construction timelines may change as the borough completes detailed planning for the 2027 phase.