The Van Horne Viaduct (also known as the Rosemont Viaduct) is surprisingly unobtrusive as it passes down Marmier Street in the industrial area next to the CPR tracks north of Mile End. If the city has its way, this entire area will be redeveloped as a new mixed-use neighbourhood; the viaduct could become an interesting element in that redevelopment project. Would it be feasible for the space underneath to be used for retail and office space, as is the case for the Westway in London? At the very least, some benches, fountains and greenery could be installed beneath the viaduct, creating a pleasant public space sheltered from the elements.
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I live at the Saint-Urbain end of the viaduct and it’s one of my favourite pieces of Mtl infrastructure. There are so few viewpoints in this flat city but every time I walk to and from the Rosemont metro I get a great 360-degree panorama of the mountain, U de M, the double spires on Beaubien, the tracks, the paint factory roof, etc. I hope they repair the road surface and don’t take down the viaduct a la Parc & Des Pins.
I agree with Kai in regards to having a great view of the surrounding area while crossing the Viaduct to get to and from Rosemont Metro. In the afternoons, you get great sunsets when walking over the bridge.
In regards to development underneath the site I think mixed use would work in the area. The main barrier isn’t really the viaduct but the railway that runs underneath the bridge. You can easily build underneath the elevated viaduct but you will have a tougher time dealing with the freight trains that run on the ground. As well, would this development also include the large industrial building across from Rosemont Metro? This complex as ugly as it is, contains hundreds of jobs. That would also have to be taken into account for such a development.
C’est aussi un des espaces géographiques que je préfère à Montréal. La voie ferrée créant une division marquée entre le nord et le sud de la ville tout comme la rue Saint-Laurent entre l’est et l’ouest, cette zone tampon entre des quartiers différents serait un lieu d’échange idéal pour leurs habitants. J’ai toujours imaginé moi aussi cet espace abrité des intempéries transformé en marché public, en parc, en patinoire ou autre terrain de rencontre. Mais en même temps, j’ai un peu peur des projets de revitalisation qui viendraient me prendre encore un des rares endroits où je peux aller vagabonder en paix, protégée de l’agitation urbaine, où je ne risque de rencontrer sur mon chemin que quelques marginaux et autres marcheurs de chiens qui se fichent bien d’avoir de la boue sur leurs souliers.
here are some photos showing what they developed in vienna from a viaduct, where an elevated metro is running on top. the arches are ca. 100 years old, therefore protected.
they put mostly pubs (which immediately became very chic) – the metro cars running on top create some frequent noise which does not matter much if you’re playing loud rave (also the highway passes on both sides of the viaduct). a bonus for the location is that the metro stations are right in the viaduct, ideal for getting there and back home …
http://www.pph.at/images/02Spittelau_gr.jpg
on an abandoned part of the viaduct they built houses on top. the interesting thing here is since the developer went bankrupt, the town will provide housing for homeless people in there!
http://bda.at/image/411984154.jpg
le centre d’artistes DARE-DARE s’est stationné de l’autre côté du viaduc, soit sous la portion ouest. Pour dire qu’il y a énormément de possibilités, autres que commerciales!
I agree that one gets a remarkable view from up there, especially when looking towards Mount Royal. It’s almost totally unexpected and one of the nicer surprises in the whole city. I really hope it stays up too!
This reminds me of Hamburg, where some bars and small shops were put in under one of the old elevated Metro lines. I remember listening to a free-jazz saxophonist at one of these establishments, and I’ll never forget his frenzied squealing every time a train passed overhead.