Montreal Introduces Online Map to Easily Track the Location of Construction Sites

The city of Montreal has launched an online map that makes it simple to monitor the location of construction sites. In addition, they will be able to utilize this technology to learn about the individuals working on the construction sites, as well as the duration of the work being done.

(Photo : Unsplash/Patrick Robert Doyle )

Introducing Online Map

On Monday, Jan. 29, the city of Montreal introduced a new online map on its official website to assist Montrealers in tracking and navigating the city's numerous construction sites. Accordingly, orange construction cones are among Montreal's few instantly recognizable things. Increasing the accountability of project owners on the territory of the City of Montreal was the primary motivation behind the launch of the application, which was designed to assist the populace in making their everyday journeys easier.

As mentioned, approximately 90,000 interventions have been carried out by the Mobility Squad of Montreal since its start several years ago, according to Émilie Thuillier, the Mayor of the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough. The Mobility Squad is responsible for eliminating illegal construction barriers and any needless signage. Each year, the city claims that approximately 55,000 permits are given to build improvements in public areas. Based on the report, in 2023, it raised the number of members of the squad and gave them new powers to facilitate a more rapid formation and the destruction of construction sites.

Using the map, Thuillier claims that residents of Montreal will be able to see in real-time where a work site is located, what the purpose of the construction is, and which company is responsible for the development. In addition, the map provides viewers with information regarding the beginning and ending times of the job. The city mayor noted that this technology is one means of boosting responsibility and assisting in removing idle cones. This includes cones placed by individuals working without the appropriate building permissions from the relevant authorities.

Also Read: Corn Cobs Waste Transformed into Innovative Sustainable Building Materials

Abandoned Construction Cones

The Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (CCMM) study from 2023 advocated for greater control of road construction. In the downtown area, the investigation discovered that 22% of cones had been discarded or deemed 'useless,' lower than the 27% recorded in the fall of 2022. There has been an ongoing irony about Montreal's seemingly unending lines of traffic cones for a long time. Thus, small reproductions of these cones are sold in souvenir stores to symbolize the city.

As part of their commitment to minimizing the visibility of the cones in the downtown area, the administration and the province have agreed to reduce their size and require businesses to remove them more swiftly after their shifts are over. Even though there are a few fewer cones, the Chamber of Commerce reports that there has been a tiny achievement in lowering the number of construction sites preventing access to the inner city. According to the survey, 93% of the streets in the city's center were either entirely or partially closed at some point over the previous year.

Related Article: How Artificial Intelligence Impacts Job Opportunities in the Construction Industry