Thérèse‑Martin High School
Thérèse‑Martin High School
2025
Educational
The Thérèse‑Martin High School site faced significant challenges related to user safety, multimodal circulation, and stormwater management. Peak‑hour traffic combined school buses, private vehicles, scooters, bicycles and pedestrians within the same areas, creating congestion and elevated safety risks.
In parallel, the existing stormwater infrastructure, partially dating back to the 1960s, was vulnerable to backflows in a highly impervious sector of Joliette, increasing the impacts of intense rainfall events linked to climate change.
gbi’s Mandate and Integrated Approach
Rather than proceeding with a full reconstruction of all infrastructure, gbi adopted a strategic, integrated approach focused on the client’s core objectives: improving safety, increasing site resilience and optimizing public investment.
This approach made it possible to retain existing infrastructure in good condition, including portions of concrete slabs, thereby reducing environmental impacts and construction costs while extending the lifecycle of the site’s assets.
Safety and Traffic Reorganization
The configuration of the bus drop‑off and parking areas was completely redesigned to clarify and secure circulation patterns. Bus movements were reorganized to eliminate back‑to‑back manoeuvres, access points were rationalized, and user flows were clearly separated.
Pedestrian routes were secured, entry and exit points better defined, and selected parking areas relocated to reduce congestion near the drop‑off zone. An adjacent intersection was also reconfigured to improve traffic flow and significantly shorten pedestrian crossing distances.
Sustainable Mobility and Active Transportation
The project incorporates a clear sustainable mobility vision, an aspect that was largely absent from the site’s original configuration. Secure bicycle parking with independent access was added to encourage active transportation among students and staff.
Physical separation between scooters, bicycles and buses reduces conflicts and improves overall safety, while supporting lower‑carbon travel modes. These measures promote healthier mobility habits and contribute to a safer, more sustainable school environment.
Sustainable Stormwater Management
Stormwater management was a central component of the project. gbi integrated a retention basin and modified the existing network to better control runoff volumes, reduce backflow risks and improve resilience to extreme weather events.
Innovative rehabilitation solutions for existing stormwater pipes, including lining of hard‑to‑access sections, extended the service life of the infrastructure without heavy interventions, aligning with a lifecycle‑based asset management approach.
Environmental Performance and Resilience
By preserving a significant portion of existing infrastructure and limiting the use of new materials, the project achieved a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with construction. Increased permeable surfaces, added tree planting and water infiltration strategies help mitigate heat island effects and improve site comfort.
These measures strengthen the climate resilience of school infrastructure while integrating seamlessly into the surrounding urban environment.
