The McDonald’s in Huntingdon opened on October 1. While some are celebrating the arrival of the Big Mac, other residents are raising safety concerns about added traffic on an already congested route into town.
Huntingdon’s mayor, André Brunette, said he is very aware of the glaring need for a sidewalk along the narrow one-kilometre portion of Route 202. Known as François-Cleyn Street, it now includes busy access points for a medical complex, daycare, pharmacy, supermarket, and restaurant, as well as the municipal garage and ambulance services. Brunette confirmed that the town now owns the road from Chateauguay Street to Ridge Road, and that work will soon begin to redevelop the strip.
The municipal council adopted a resolution during its regular meeting on May 4 to hire the engineering firm Tetra Tech to develop several scenarios, preliminary plans and a budget estimate to redevelop François-Cleyn Street.
“We are going to get things done. But it is not as simple as just putting in a sidewalk,” said Brunette. “We have to study how traffic will be routed. We have to think about the future school that is coming. There is the signalization and speed limits, and lighting,” he added, noting the eventual sidewalk will also be wider than usual.
“It is almost like a boulevard,” he explained, while pointing out there are security concerns to consider in terms of pedestrians safely crossing the railway. A wider sidewalk will also mean filling in the existing ditches along the road while ensuring water continues to properly drain from the road.
Tetra Tech is also handling two other significant municipal contracts, including the planned extension of Church Street and the “finishing touches” on Dalhousie Street, which also involves the installation of sidewalks. Brunette confirmed the three projects are the priority for 2026-2027.
The town also intends to install two new stop signs along Ridge Road to better control traffic. Brunette said the signs have not yet been approved because of delays at the Ministère des transports et de la Mobilité durable. “It is very frustrating for us as well,” he said, while acknowledging social media concerns for pedestrians, including students and young families, who walk along the road.
“It is not complicated. It is just going to take time to do, and it is costly as well,” Brunette pointed out. For example, the study to redevelop François-Cleyn Street alone is expected to cost $24,000.
“Huntingdon is going to be paying for this,” he confirmed, while noting that the administration is currently looking for grants to help cover some of the costs.