World-renowned Quebec bike path getting a makeover

LABELLE, QUE.—Quebec’s Le P’tit Train du Nord linear park bike path, located between Mont-Rolland and Sainte-Adele, is getting a facelift.

Corporation du Parc lineaire Le P’tit Train du Nord has been granted $500,000 in funding from the Government of Canada for the renovation of several sections of the bike path.

David Graham, MP for Laurentides — Labelle, made the funding announcement, which is meant to improve community and recreational infrastructure, a release reads.

According to a Government of Canada release, the non-repayable contribution, awarded through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, will enable the organization to rebuild several sections of the bicycle path, give trail users access to recreational and transportation activities and ensure that the internationally-renowned regional infrastructure is maintained.

Le P’tit Train du Nord linear park arose from a partnership among the Regional County Municipalities (RCMs) of Therese-De-Blainville, Mirabel, Riviere-du-Nord, Pays-d’en-Haut, Laurentides and Antoine-Labelle and was inaugurated in 1996. The six RCMs subsequently established a non-profit corporation to oversee the maintenance, safety and operation of the park, which welcomes more than a million users from all over every year, generating major spinoffs for the greater Laurentides region.

"Le P’tit Train du Nord linear park is accessible to all and enhances the quality of life of thousands of citizens of every age," said Graham in a statement. "This recreational trail also adds to the tourism drawing power of our beautiful region. Cyclists, hikers, in-line skaters, cross-country skiers and, on some sections, snowmobilers have been benefiting from this infrastructure for a generation."

The P’tit train du Nord literally means the "Little Train of the North." The trail is built on an old railway line which closed in the late 1980s. In all it is a 200 kilometre bicycle trail that runs through the Laurentians north of Montréal.

Jean Sebastien Thibault, director general, Corporation du Parc lineaire Le P’tit Train du Nord said, "The Corporation du Parc lineaire Le P’tit Train du Nord is pleased to have the support of the Government of Canada and the RCMs in carrying out this $1 million investment. This year, we are proudly celebrating the 20th anniversary of the linear park. This announcement is excellent news for the users of this magnificent trail."