Montreal launches emergency plan to tackle surge in potholes

Montreal’s administration announced an emergency plan Thursday to address a sharp increase in potholes across the city.

City officials said two recent public calls for tenders failed to attract any bidders that met requirements, prompting the city to adopt exceptional measures to speed up repairs and respond to residents’ concerns.

“The current situation requires rapid action. We are facing one of the most difficult winters for the condition of our streets in several years, especially with repeated freeze-thaw cycles,” said Claude Pinard, chair of Montreal’s Executive Committee.

• READ MORE: Montreal mayor has car towed hours after calling pothole situation ‘catastrophic’

Additional money

As part of the emergency plan, the city will award 10 contracts to three private companies to carry out manual pothole repairs on arterial roads, at a cost of approximately $471,000.

The city will also transfer about $2.5 million from the central budget to boroughs to dedicate to pothole repairs. Boroughs will receive between $250,000 and $50,000 each to carry out the work.

“We hear and understand the frustration of Montrealers, and it is legitimate,” said Luis Miranda, who is responsible for cleanliness and citizen services. “With this announcement, we are taking concrete steps to provide a level of service that meets residents’ expectations, both now and in the years to come, by giving boroughs the means to act and mobilizing the entire city to respond quickly to the population’s needs.”

Officials pointed to particularly intense temperature fluctuations this winter as a major factor contributing to the formation of potholes.

The administration also highlighted longer-term investments, noting that its first budget includes $683.8 million in the 2026–2035 capital infrastructure program for road resurfacing and rehabilitation.

Report potholes and vehicle damage

Residents are encouraged to report potholes by calling 311 or by using the 311 Montréal mobile app, which allows users to submit photos, geolocation data and track service requests.

The city also reminded residents that anyone seeking compensation for damage to their vehicle must submit a claim form as quickly as possible, because the 15-day deadline begins on the day the incident occurs. The city will provide a written response once the investigation is carried out.

“We also invite Montrealers to exercise caution in the coming weeks,” said Alan DeSousa, responsible for mobility and infrastructure.

Borough transfers

Under the funding transfers, borough allocations range as follows:

• $250,000 each for Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, Saint-Laurent, Ville-Marie and Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension
• $125,000 each for Ahuntsic-Cartierville and Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
• $75,000 each for Anjou, Lachine, LaSalle, Le Sud-Ouest, Montreal North, Pierrefonds-Roxboro, Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles, Verdun and Saint-Léonard
• $50,000 each for L’Île-Bizard–Sainte-Geneviève and Outremont.

The city said amounts were determined based on complaints received by 311, tonnage, and mileage.