The Rosemont-La-Petite-Patrie neighbourhood in Montreal, Quebec is closing its streets to most cars in order to give priority to pedestrians, effective this summer.

The neighbourhood will create nine "pedestrian-priority living environments" as part of the pilot project, where only local traffic is allowed in the borough.

Another big Montreal street space announcement in response to COVID: borough of @Arr_RosemontPP will create 9 Barcelona-style "superblocks" within which only local car traffic allowed. https://t.co/m5jayL2dcS

— Chris McCray (@McCrayWX) May 7, 2020

"This will make it easier to wander freely and safely through the neighbourhood, on foot and by bicycle, to take advantage of parks, schools, services, and essential businesses located within 500 meters of one's home," a statement says.

The project will also see the addition of 50 kilometres of bike paths, which will help residents continue to social distance.

The neighbourhood is likening the project to the famous "superblocks" of Barcelona, which were introduced in 2017.

When cities put people before cars, they come up with brilliant ideas like replacing parking with parks. It's amazing what a little creativity and a whole lot of ambition can do for a community. #SuperBlock #Barcelona #DoItForTheKids pic.twitter.com/blzzyoKycK

— Robin Mazumder (@RobinMazumder) September 1, 2018

Montreal has already established a number of "public health corridors" along the sides of city roads so pedestrians can safely practice social distancing in dense commercial areas.

The corridors allow pedestrians to maintain a healthy distance as they pass one another on the way to get groceries or run errands.

Nouveau corridor piétonnier rue Jarry à Montréal. pic.twitter.com/wFieH9FVDH

— Benoit Audet (@audetbe) May 8, 2020

Montreal continues to struggle to flatten the curve as the pandemic progresses, so hopefully these latest measures will help the city to encourage social distancing.