
Montreal hopes to repair damaged reputation during Grand Prix weekend
MONTREAL — Montreal is hoping to redeem itself during the upcoming Grand Prix weekend after last year’s event veered off course due to heavy congestion, flooding and some ill-timed patio inspections.
The city says it’s taking steps to improve access to the Formula One site, located on a man-made island, and to reduce traffic headaches during the international event, which begins June 13.
“In the last year, we’ve been working through every single thing that went wrong… to address it and find solutions,” Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante told reporters earlier this week. “We need to do better, and this is what we’re working toward.”
Organizers say they’ve upgraded the infrastructure on Montreal’s Notre-Dame island, in part to improve drainage. And the city’s fire department says it’s working with restaurant owners to ensure they’re ready for the influx of tourists.