Major construction work is forcing the closure of part of this thoroughfare for the next eight years.
The Ville-Marie borough announced that Docteur-Penfield Avenue will be shut down between McTavish Street and Pine Avenue West until 2033 to allow upgrades to the McTavish pumping station.
Starting the week of August 18, 2025, the long-term closure is expected to significantly affect local traffic and transit.
To help manage the impact, new signage will be installed August 18, and Pine Avenue West will temporarily become a two-way street between Docteur-Penfield and Peel.
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Parking will be prohibited within the construction zone on Docteur-Penfield, McTavish, and Pine.
Pedestrian access to all McGill University buildings and parking lots will remain open, while local traffic, deliveries, and buses will still be permitted between Peel and McTavish.
Construction is scheduled Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with night and weekend work when required.
The Ville-Marie borough says more updates will follow as the project advances.
The project aims to ensure a reliable drinking water distribution service, modernize facilities, improve maintenance and safety, upgrade underground infrastructure, make Parc Rutherford more permeable above the McTavish reservoir, and preserve the site’s heritage character.
Once complete, it will provide a steady water supply to more than 1.25 million residents, deliver stronger and longer-lasting infrastructure, improve operational flexibility, safeguard heritage for future generations, and make the building more earthquake-resistant.
What is the McTavish pumping station?
The pumping station, situated on Avenue du Docteur-Penfield between Rue McTavish and Avenue des Pins Ouest near the McGill University district and Parc Rutherford, was constructed in 1928-1932 and operates daily.
Construction work is being completed in several stages, with phase two having started this summer.
What is the scope of work?
According to the City website, the work involved in the upgrade of McTavish pumping station includes:
- Make building more earthquake-resistant
- Replace pumping equipment
- Replace and upgrade the water distribution pipes
- Upgrade the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems
- Replace and completely upgrade the power facilities
- Do architectural renovation of the station while preserving its heritage
- Do landscaping work around the station and in Parc Rutherford
- Redesign the bank at the corner of Avenue du Docteur-Penfield and Rue McTavish
What work will be completed before fall 2027?
The work will include:
- Landscaping of the bank at the corner of Avenue du Docteur-Penfield and Rue McTavish
- Building a water recirculation system and changing a valve chamber
- Setting up temporary power facilities
- Upgrading part of the road around Parc Rutherford
- Setting up a new parking lot, building a support wall, and putting in place a temporary building for the work site offices
For more information about the upgrade of McTavish pumping station, click here.
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