Montreal Jean-Talon Merchants Say Blue Line Work Is Draining Foot Traffic, Fear They Won't Last Until 2031 Opening

MONTREAL — Merchants on Jean-Talon Street East rallied on October 28, calling for more support, warning they may not survive until the Metro's Blue Line extension opens. According to CBC and CityNews, construction has closed sections of Jean-Talon East to through traffic and the 141 bus route has been diverted; merchants say passing foot traffic has fallen sharply as a result, hitting business directly.

A bakery down 20 to 25 percent, kept alive by deliveries

Kamer Bensalem, owner of Boulangerie Castel, said he bought the bakery 18 years ago, employs more than 20 people, and once turned over $2 million or more a year; since construction began, business has dropped 20 to 25 percent, and only deliveries and customers found outside the immediate neighbourhood are keeping it going. He described the situation as a dream turning into a nightmare, affecting livelihoods and families, and said that without deliveries, he might already have closed. CBC reports merchants saying pedestrian crossings have fallen 90 percent since the 141 bus was rerouted — a merchants' figure, with no corresponding official city count published.

The scope of the work and the 2031 target

The Blue Line extension runs 4.6 kilometres with five new stations and is due to open in 2031; current work is concentrated around major intersections including Pie-IX, Viau, Lacordaire and Langelier, with several bus routes diverted. The Jean-Talon East commercial development association (SDC Jean-Talon Est) brought merchants and community partners together to press for tangible support before the work is finished. For merchants, the issue is not opposition to the extension itself — new stations could bring customers in the long run — but the transition years ahead: without passing trade, shops have to survive first before they can enjoy any post-opening benefit.