Boulevard de l'Outaouais
Encyclopedia
Boulevard des Allumettières (formerly called Boulevard de l'Outaouais) is a major 13.7 km arterial road in Gatineau
, Quebec
, Canada
, that connects Aylmer
and Hull
sectors of the city running from Eardley Road to the Alexandra Bridge
towards Ottawa
. It is the most recent east-west arterial connection from the West to the downtown core and construction of the entire length was completed during the fall of 2007.
which is the number assigned for this route. While it contains at-grade intersections, it may be upgraded to Autoroute 50
. The western end of the road is at the intersection of the former section of Highway/Route 148 (Chemin Eardley).
Initially, in the 1970s, it was part of a larger route planned to connect Aylmer to downtown Hull roughly along the same corridor and through the current Saint-Laurent Boulevard. Several blocks of late-19th century to mid-20th century homes were expropriated to make for the project, but numerous issues delayed the project for several years although portions of the planned road were built including the initial portion of Saint-Laurent between near Saint-Redempteur Boulevard and the Alexandra Bridge. Residents in the Wrightville and Île de Hull areas had criticized the move in the 1970s as the project and expropriations were made without public consultations
) to connect with the extended portion of Boulevard Saint-Laurent east of Lac des Fées parkway. The eastern segment which was named Saint-Laurent was renamed des Allumettières as the continuation of the same stretch of road. Residents in the Aylmer sector as well as those in the growing Plateau de la Capitale and Manoir des Trembles neighborhoods of the Hull sector and those from Pontiac can use this route as a more direct route to the downtown sections of Hull and Ottawa. The new boulevard opened on 3 December 2007 after decades of debate on whether this project would be completed, while bulldozing in the area near Boulevard Saint-Joseph
was done many years ago. It passes through Gatineau Park
despite concerns from environmentalists, but measures were taken to reduce the impact on the environment including the construction of a temporary bridge. The cost of the bridge totaled just under $100 million and was considered the most costly roadway project per square kilometre in the history of the province of Quebec.
Interchanges were built for access to the Gatineau Park
way and Lac des Fees Parkway as well as for Boulevard Saint-Raymond, while roundabouts were built at Labelle and Demontigny Streets and Saint-Joseph Boulevard in 2004-2005 as well as a second exit from westbound A-50. There are intersections (with lights) connecting Allumettières with Boulevard des Grives (Northbound only, effective November 2011), Chemin Vanier, Rue Samuel-Edey, Boulevard Wilfred-Lavigne, Avenue des Champignons (lights for pedestrian crossing, ramps only from WB Allumettières to/from Champignons North), Chemin Klock/Rue Broad, Rue Front, and ends at Chemin Eardley.
When opened, it was expected to ease congestion on both Boulevard Saint-Raymond and Boulevard Alexandre-Taché, but it is unclear if STO
transit buses will use this future four-lane road for faster transit trips towards downtown and the future Rapibus
rapid transit roadway that will be completed by 2010. Transports Quebec did not add designated lanes in the newly built segment, arguing that not enough buses would travel there during the rush hour but the STO may file a request. Gatineau Councillor
Alain Riel
, in which the road crosses the center of his ward, had requested in December 2007 that the Rapibus should be extended to Aylmer using the grassy-median of the boulevard until at least Saint-Raymond citing concerns that residents of his ward may abandon public transit for their cars due to the extension of the new roadway.
, giving the route a much more modern look near the city's busiest intersection. Some new housing units were also built to replace older ones.
and Jos-Montferrand
were among the possibilities, as well as Asticou, Aimé-Guertin and des Allumettières. The name of Bobino
in reference to the late local comedian Guy Sanche was also suggested by many residents. A petition was circulated in order to influence the City to consider Bobino, but was not considered by the Urban Planning Committee.
On 27 February 2007, the Urban Planning Committee and City Council chose the name des Allumettières, in reference to local female workers in the matchstick industry during the region's early years, for the full length between Eardley Road and the Alexandra Bridge
which will also replace the name "Boulevard Saint-Laurent" in the easternmost segment. The new name change was implemented in the western segment from Boulevard Saint-Raymond during the summer. Homes and businesses located along St-Laurent will have des Allumettières addresses now that the full length has opened (3 December 2007).
The "Allumettières" were women who worked at the famous E.B.Eddy mill
, making matches
(allumettes--->allumettières). They became famous in 1919 and 1924 when they went on strike and stood up to the management.
and Jacques Cartier Park
located at the entrance to the Alexandra Bridge. Further west is the Robert Guertin Arena (Carillon Street) which is home to the QMJHL
team, the Gatineau Olympiques
.
Gatineau
Gatineau is a city in western Quebec, Canada. It is the fourth largest city in the province. It is located on the northern banks of the Ottawa River, immediately across from Ottawa, Ontario, and together they form Canada's National Capital Region. Ottawa and Gatineau comprise a single Census...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, that connects Aylmer
Aylmer, Quebec
Aylmer is a former city in Quebec, Canada. It became a sector of the City of Gatineau on January 1, 2002. Located on the Ottawa River and Route 148 it is a part of the National Capital Region. The population in 2006 was 41 882 — approx. 16% of Gatineau...
and Hull
Hull, Quebec
Hull is the central and oldest part of the city of Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. It is located on the west bank of the Gatineau River and the north shore of the Ottawa River, directly opposite Ottawa. As part of the Canadian National Capital Region, it contains offices for twenty thousand...
sectors of the city running from Eardley Road to the Alexandra Bridge
Alexandra Bridge
The Royal Alexandra Interprovincial Bridge is a steel truss cantilever bridge spanning the Ottawa River between Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec. It is known locally as both the "Alexandra Bridge" and the "Interprovincial Bridge".-History:...
towards Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
. It is the most recent east-west arterial connection from the West to the downtown core and construction of the entire length was completed during the fall of 2007.
Early years
This road was built in the late 1990s to serve as a by-pass of the Aylmer sector as well as a quicker route for Route 148Quebec route 148
Route 148 is a major east-west highway in Quebec, Canada. It runs from Autoroute 25 in Laval in the Montreal region to the Ontario-Quebec border in L'Isle-aux-Allumettes in western Quebec. For most of its length, Route 148 follows the north shore of the Ottawa River where it acts as the principal...
which is the number assigned for this route. While it contains at-grade intersections, it may be upgraded to Autoroute 50
Quebec Autoroute 50
Autoroute 50 is an Autoroute in western Quebec. Once completed, it will link the Outaouais region to the Greater Montreal area....
. The western end of the road is at the intersection of the former section of Highway/Route 148 (Chemin Eardley).
Initially, in the 1970s, it was part of a larger route planned to connect Aylmer to downtown Hull roughly along the same corridor and through the current Saint-Laurent Boulevard. Several blocks of late-19th century to mid-20th century homes were expropriated to make for the project, but numerous issues delayed the project for several years although portions of the planned road were built including the initial portion of Saint-Laurent between near Saint-Redempteur Boulevard and the Alexandra Bridge. Residents in the Wrightville and Île de Hull areas had criticized the move in the 1970s as the project and expropriations were made without public consultations
Extension project
This road has been extended east of (Boulevard Saint-RaymondBoulevard Saint-Raymond
Boulevard Saint-Raymond is a major boulevard located in Gatineau, Quebec. It starts at Boulevard Saint-Joseph and ends at Boulevard Alexandre-Tache just west of the limits between the Hull and Aylmer sectors...
) to connect with the extended portion of Boulevard Saint-Laurent east of Lac des Fées parkway. The eastern segment which was named Saint-Laurent was renamed des Allumettières as the continuation of the same stretch of road. Residents in the Aylmer sector as well as those in the growing Plateau de la Capitale and Manoir des Trembles neighborhoods of the Hull sector and those from Pontiac can use this route as a more direct route to the downtown sections of Hull and Ottawa. The new boulevard opened on 3 December 2007 after decades of debate on whether this project would be completed, while bulldozing in the area near Boulevard Saint-Joseph
Boulevard Saint-Joseph
Boulevard Saint-Joseph is an important commercial boulevard in the former city of Hull, Quebec . It runs from Boulevard Alexandre-Tache to the boundaries of the city of Gatineau and the suburban town of Chelsea.-Southern section:...
was done many years ago. It passes through Gatineau Park
Gatineau Park
Gatineau Park is a park located in the National Capital Region, in Quebec's Outaouais region, just north of Ottawa, Ontario. Administered by the National Capital Commission, the park is a 361 km² wedge of land to the west of the Gatineau River...
despite concerns from environmentalists, but measures were taken to reduce the impact on the environment including the construction of a temporary bridge. The cost of the bridge totaled just under $100 million and was considered the most costly roadway project per square kilometre in the history of the province of Quebec.
Interchanges were built for access to the Gatineau Park
Gatineau Park
Gatineau Park is a park located in the National Capital Region, in Quebec's Outaouais region, just north of Ottawa, Ontario. Administered by the National Capital Commission, the park is a 361 km² wedge of land to the west of the Gatineau River...
way and Lac des Fees Parkway as well as for Boulevard Saint-Raymond, while roundabouts were built at Labelle and Demontigny Streets and Saint-Joseph Boulevard in 2004-2005 as well as a second exit from westbound A-50. There are intersections (with lights) connecting Allumettières with Boulevard des Grives (Northbound only, effective November 2011), Chemin Vanier, Rue Samuel-Edey, Boulevard Wilfred-Lavigne, Avenue des Champignons (lights for pedestrian crossing, ramps only from WB Allumettières to/from Champignons North), Chemin Klock/Rue Broad, Rue Front, and ends at Chemin Eardley.
When opened, it was expected to ease congestion on both Boulevard Saint-Raymond and Boulevard Alexandre-Taché, but it is unclear if STO
Société de transport de l'Outaouais
Société de transport de l'Outaouais is the transit service of the Outaouais region of Quebec. It operates public transit routes in Gatineau, Quebec, including the Hull, Aylmer, Gatineau, Buckingham and Masson-Angers sectors, plus limited service to suburban communities such as Chelsea and...
transit buses will use this future four-lane road for faster transit trips towards downtown and the future Rapibus
Rapibus
The Rapibus is a planned and approved bus-only roadway for the Société de Transport de l'Outaouais in the city of Gatineau, Quebec. The project aims to speed up the service for commuters in growing sub-divisions in the northern and eastern areas of the city by alleviating the congestion on key...
rapid transit roadway that will be completed by 2010. Transports Quebec did not add designated lanes in the newly built segment, arguing that not enough buses would travel there during the rush hour but the STO may file a request. Gatineau Councillor
Gatineau City Council
The Gatineau Municipal Council is the governing body of the city of Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. It is composed of 17 city councillors and the mayor. The mayor is elected at large, while each of the councillors represent wards throughout the city...
Alain Riel
Alain Riel
Alain Riel is a Quebec municipal politician in Gatineau, Canada. He is the councillor of the Deschênes District in the Aylmer sector.Riel studied at the University of Ottawa and obtained a bachelor's degree in history and geography and a master's degree in physical geography.After being a teacher...
, in which the road crosses the center of his ward, had requested in December 2007 that the Rapibus should be extended to Aylmer using the grassy-median of the boulevard until at least Saint-Raymond citing concerns that residents of his ward may abandon public transit for their cars due to the extension of the new roadway.
Revitalization of the downtown segment
In the downtown area, the artery was revitalized near Boulevard MaisonneuveBoulevard Maisonneuve
Boulevard Maisonneuve is an important arterial in the heart of Downtown Gatineau, Quebec. It serves as connector route between the Portage Bridge from Ottawa to Quebec Autoroutes 5 and 50 as well as Boulevard Fournier towards the Gatineau sector of the city, northern portions of the Hull sector and...
, giving the route a much more modern look near the city's busiest intersection. Some new housing units were also built to replace older ones.
Road name
It was formerly known by journalists and local residents and the ministry of Transport as the Axe McConnell-Laramée after the two roads that are located alongside each end. Then it became Boulevard de l'Outaouais. During the construction of the new segment the city of Gatineau planned to change the name to one related to the history of the Outaouais. Philemon-WrightPhilemon Wright
Philemon Wright was a farmer and entrepreneur who founded Wrightstown, the first permanent settlement in the National Capital Region of Canada...
and Jos-Montferrand
Joseph Montferrand
Joseph "Jos" Montferrand was a French-Canadian logger, strong man and hero of the working man, who was the inspiration for the legendary Ottawa Valley figure Big Joe Mufferaw....
were among the possibilities, as well as Asticou, Aimé-Guertin and des Allumettières. The name of Bobino
Bobino (TV series)
Bobino is a Quebec French language children's television show made in Quebec and broadcast on Radio Canada, the French language television service of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, between 1957 and 1985. Its stories revolved around Bobino and his sister Bobinette...
in reference to the late local comedian Guy Sanche was also suggested by many residents. A petition was circulated in order to influence the City to consider Bobino, but was not considered by the Urban Planning Committee.
On 27 February 2007, the Urban Planning Committee and City Council chose the name des Allumettières, in reference to local female workers in the matchstick industry during the region's early years, for the full length between Eardley Road and the Alexandra Bridge
Alexandra Bridge
The Royal Alexandra Interprovincial Bridge is a steel truss cantilever bridge spanning the Ottawa River between Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec. It is known locally as both the "Alexandra Bridge" and the "Interprovincial Bridge".-History:...
which will also replace the name "Boulevard Saint-Laurent" in the easternmost segment. The new name change was implemented in the western segment from Boulevard Saint-Raymond during the summer. Homes and businesses located along St-Laurent will have des Allumettières addresses now that the full length has opened (3 December 2007).
The "Allumettières" were women who worked at the famous E.B.Eddy mill
E. B. Eddy Company
The E. B. Eddy Company was a Canadian pulp and paper company, now a division of Domtar Inc. It was originally incorporated in 1886 as The E. B. Eddy Manufacturing Company with Ezra Butler Eddy as its president. Eddy had begun business in 1854 making and selling wooden matches out of his home in...
, making matches
(allumettes--->allumettières). They became famous in 1919 and 1924 when they went on strike and stood up to the management.
Features
Among the main attractions along des Allumettières are the Canadian Museum of CivilizationCanadian Museum of Civilization
The Canadian Museum of Civilization is Canada's national museum of human history and the most popular and most-visited museum in Canada....
and Jacques Cartier Park
Jacques Cartier Park
Jacques Cartier Park is a park in Gatineau, Quebec, across the river from the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. It is named for French explorer Jacques Cartier, who arrived at the mouth of the Ottawa River while he was looking for the Northwest Passage. The National Capital Commission uses the...
located at the entrance to the Alexandra Bridge. Further west is the Robert Guertin Arena (Carillon Street) which is home to the QMJHL
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
team, the Gatineau Olympiques
Gatineau Olympiques
The Gatineau Olympiques are a major junior ice hockey team playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League out of Gatineau, Quebec. The Olympiques play out of the Robert Guertin Centre. The club, then known as the Hull Festivals, was granted membership in the QMJHL in 1973. The Olympiques have...
.
Neighbourhoods
- Île de Hull/Downtown
- Wrightville
- Le Plateau
- Pilon/Jardins Lavigne
- McLeod/Terrasses Eardley