Ville-Marie invested $10 million in stormwater management

The borough of Ville-Marie invested over $10 million in stormwater management projects so far in 2025.

In a press release Friday, the borough said the investment in drainage infrastructure projects were to “strengthen the resilience of its infrastructure in the face of climate change” as the heavy rains are becoming more frequent.

The borough said Ville-Marie will see an increase of 1,200 cubic metres of drainage infrastructure when projects are completed. This would represent nearly 15 per cent of the city’s target of 8,500 cubic metres.

Larivière Street, between De Lorimier Avenue and Parthenais Street, in Sainte-Marie has been designated as a “sponge” street where retention basins and planting boxes to capture and retain nearly 900 cubic metres of rainwater, the press release.

The work is expected to be completed between spring and summer 2026.

“Experts and studies show that large-scale drainage systems are one of the most effective solutions for making our city more resilient and reducing the impact of heavy rains on Montrealers and our buildings,” said Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montreal and Ville-Marie.

Another project is underway in the La Ligne Verte alley, also in in the Sainte-Marie sector and is expected to be completed next month. This drainage and green strips added as part of the project will provide a retention capacity of 135 cubic metres, the press release said.

Apart from drainage swales, the borough and the city has also improved the efficiency of the sewer system by adding overflow pipes on Parthenais and Sainte-Catherine East streets, as well as Hochelaga and Sheppard streets.

“Among the major projects planned for the future is the rehabilitation of the sewer collector located under D’Iberville, Larivière and Fullum streets, which dates back to 1891,” according to the statement.

The borough said that also made changes to the building code to limit underground construction in high-risk areas and took more preventive maintenance measures in vulnerable areas.