News
The P’tit Train du Nord Trail Now Safer and More Accessible Thanks to our Teams
Our Urban Infrastructures teams in Sainte-Agathe have successfully completed a major 18km project on a section of the P’tit Train du Nord linear park track between Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts and Mont-Blanc. The project was initiated to resolve a number of technical issues, with the aim of improving accessibility and safety while taking environmental concerns into account.
The Parc linéaire Le P’tit Train du Nord is integrated into the Route verte network and the Trans Canada Trail, and represents an infrastructure of considerable importance in the Laurentian region. This 234 km-long recreational trail offers a unique experience to thousands of visitors every year, while making a significant contribution to the vitality and effervescence of the Laurentian region.
The section of the linear trail between Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts and Mont-Blanc was known for its poor drainage and foundation problems. The running surface was becoming impracticable at times, with the result that the southern and northern parts of the linear trail in the MRC des Laurentides territory could no longer be interconnected, so rehabilitation was necessary. Our teams were involved from the outset of the project to carry out a field survey to identify the problems and propose solutions. Plans and specifications were then drawn up, and the work was supervised.
The project consisted of three main components:
Drainage improvement (cleaning and reprofiling ditches, replacing culverts, etc.);
Recharging granular materials to a thickness of approximately 150 mm to improve the existing subgrade;
Installation of a single layer of paving.
Our teams carried out this project, which linked the two sections and took 16 weeks to complete, while ensuring that the trail remained open on weekends and during the two weeks of construction, so as not to interfere with the region’s important tourist activities.
A solution that improves accessibility and safety
The solution recommended by our teams was to improve the subgrade and install a layer of asphalt concrete. The main objective in choosing the surfacing was to make the park runway accessible and safe for a wide public. This includes children, the elderly and those with special mobility needs, so that they can enjoy the park in complete safety.
We’re proud to have been involved in this project, which encourages physical activity and also offers all users the opportunity to reconnect with the natural surroundings of this world-renowned park.