Boulevard du Plateau
Boulevard du Plateau is a collector roadway located in Gatineau, Quebec, beside Route 148.
This road starts at Chemin Vanier in Aylmer before it finishes at Boulevard Saint-Raymond, and Route 148.
It is home to the new D'Arcy McGee English high school which recently moved from its former location near the Hull Hospital, several kilometers away.
This roadway, which was fairly tranquil until the mid 90's became very busy after 2000, as the community has grown rapidly. The increasing number of residents, was one of the reasons why retail and commercial development has exploded, similar to the likes of Barrhaven's Marketplace district as well as the Kanata Centrum and the Holy Trinity/Avalon district of Orleans.
Since the late 90's Loblaws, SuperC, Reitmans, Moores, Wal-Mart Canada, Rona and Bureau en Gros stores have been built in rapid succession, A large 16 theatre movie complex known as StarCité Hull was also built, making it the largest of its kind in the city of Gatineau.
Local residents have expressed concerns about the growing number of superstores in the area, and have asked the city to slow the expansion of the commercial district, as traffic has been getting increasingly congested during shopping hours. However, there is still ample open space left for development, allowing for more stores in the future when the road is completed. In addition, the nearby Boulevard des Allumettières (formerly Boulevard de l'Outaouais) freeway, also known as the Highway 50/148 extension will give eastern residents of the city much faster and easier access to the big-box stores in the area which would add to traffic congestion. Boulevard des grives has been extended to the 148 to help reduce congestion.
As of 2006, the Le Plateau community has entered the Aylmer sector, and the population is expected to approach the 15 000-20 000 range.