In many other cities, when there is long term construction like this, plastic walls are added. They are very easy to clean graffiti and artwork can be added easily and change over time, it becomes built into the urban fabric and does not bother as much:
People get annoyed by construction in Montreal more than other cities I believe because other cities decorate it more:
I do kind of understand where the mayor is coming from for testing changing the colours of the cones downtown. I hope we do more than just that, like adding better construction curtains!