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Dorchester Square in downtown Montreal is about to get bigger.

Work started Tuesday on a long-delayed, $8.9-million renovation that will expand the public space, adding lawned areas, a water fountain and pedestrian bridges.

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The focus is on the northern tip of the square. The rest of the square was refurbished in 2010.

As part of the project, the square will be extended over two of the five lanes of traffic on Dorchester Square St., which sits between the square and the Dominion Square Building and connects Peel and Metcalfe Sts.

Some of the new public space will be grassed over, other parts covered in granite paving stones, according to the city of Montreal public tender document. Two wood and steel footbridges will connect the current part of the square with the new section.

A cast-iron Victorian-style water fountain with three basins is to be installed in the new area. Images in the city document indicate the fountain will be more than 10 metres tall.