Protesters voice opposition to Turcot plan at St. Henri meeting
Photograph by: Allen McInnis, Montreal GazetteAs protesters chanted "Turcot, pas d'autos!," more than 300 southwest borough residents packed a St. Henri community centre Monday night to express opposition to and doubts about Quebec's $3 billion plan to rebuild the crumbling Turcot Interchange.
A standing-room crowd listened politely as Quebec Transport Department officials outlined plans to demolish the existing structure in stages, with enforceable limits on noise and air pollution, to create 300,000 square meters of green space, a new 55-hectare residential area and transform Notre Dame St. W. into an urban boulevard.
Eight anti-noise barriers are to be erected and during construction, limits will be imposed on daytime, evening and overnight noise, with heavy fines for ignoring them.
The project, approved by Quebec last fall, was endorsed by Mayor Gérald Tremblay and his Union Montreal majority, over opposition objections.
Turcot is the system of elevated roadways where highways 15 and 20 and the Ville Marie Expressway converge.
Replacing it will require the demolition of 106 units at 780 St. Rémi St. and two buildings with eight units on Selby St., dislocating about 130 residents.
That detail was met by a chorus of boos.
Since the daily volume of vehicles that use the new structure is expected to rise to 304,000 from about 290,000, Daniel Breton said this means "the death of Quebec's goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent by 2020."
"There has to be a radical change in the transportation modes used by Quebecers," he said, to sustained applause.
Though there are plans to increase bus routes serving the area, critics last night said the project is missing a light-train aspect.
Derek Robertson, a construction project manager, said the overall concept was not designed for the 21st century.
"Why are we not getting a train to the west up and running prior to the demolition and construction as a mitigation process (for the current traffic volume?" Robertson asked.There was no direct answer.
Cheers !! HF&RV
14 comments:
Les,
Some people are against everything no matter what the plans are.
Guy
Guy your statement reminds me of a song that Groucho Marx sang (& he can't sing.hahaha) but in one movie he sang a song, "For months before my son was born,I used to yell from night to morn ,whatever it is I'm against it"..........hahahahah
but your right regardless of what projects are planned good or bad,it is only a matter of opinion. but I do applaud that some people do 'get involved' to find out why things are happenning. Although I have to admit not all new projects are bad things,it is the politics & corruption of it all that is unpalatable at times. Some projects are the whim of certain politicians ,without much thought as to 'impact on the people of the area' ..........Drapeau was draconian in his measures,he tore down whole neighbourhoods,(French & English) ones ,usually less affluent areas,he did that because he didn't like the look of them when the world came callling in '67 ,.he knew he could get away with it,becaues the people didn't get to be heard. It will be interesting to see what the end result is,with Turcot,I'm sure it will look great,.....and I am equally sure that it will more than fill the pockets of local politicians & developpers, and it will be paid for on the backs of the working people,in the form of Tax...............................Cheers !! HF&RV
---Cheers !! Have Fun & Remember Verdun
Les,
I thought i'd throw in my album no. 10 on Verdun theaters wich includes one photo of Verdun youths parading in Verdun in an old jalopy to advertise a Marx Bros. movie showing at the Park Theatre probably from the 30s. Just an opportunity to show off a slideshow wich you showed me how to post.
Guy.
Thanks Guy I remember that photo, as I recognise many of the others too, great to have,,,and I'm glad your having fun with the slide show...........lol Cheers !! HF&RV
ps: the MArx Bros. were one of my favourites ,because you had to listen carefully to really hear the hiddenhumour & double entendres (not sure of that spelling)
Incidentally I lived right besde the Savoy at one time when I was 3or4 yrs old ,before moving to Verdun Avenue,then back to Wellington St ....thanks for the memory prompt
Les,
By the way, I'm still looking for a front view of the Park theater and a complete front view of the 5th avenue theatre wich would complete my collection of the 4 Verdun theatres so keep an eye out for these photos.
Guy
I will do, I usually keep most things Verdun related,or Montreal.... HF&RV
Hi Les and Guy They really don’t have much time to muck around. When it falls someone is going to have a really big headache. I guess the expression “felt like I got hit with a ton of bricks” will apply.
Any good Civil Engineer book will show them how to build a road that will last and make it right the first time the problem is finding someone in the team that can read the instructions.
Progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds, cannot change anything.’ George Bernard Shaw
Turcot reminds me of this nursery rhyme
I think I will find an alternate route,
I am pretty sure that 55 years of this: Doesn't Help the overall health of the structure:
.Combine the elements , the amount of traffic, and the relatively inept & most likely delibrate lack of maintenance,no wonder it is falling down. Cheers !! HF&RV
here is one of the albums from my site: Totally Turcot ,I've posted it before.
Cheers !! HF&RV
and from I here Montreal & much of eastern Canada & the US are getting a snowstorm: Yikes ~!!!
Cheers !! HF&RV
Yes I know 4 posts in a row,.......but I just came across another few pics,of the time the Decarie Expressway Flooded......(it's connected to Turcot, so here you go)
Cheers!! HF&RV
Early Political Leaders devising the Budget...................
Don't Let Them Cheat Ya.........hahahaha Cheers !! HF&RV
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