Montreal West's Closure of Broughton Rd: Projet Montréal seeks cooperation
rather than isolation

MONTREAL, Oct 7 /CNW Telbec/ - During the last days, the Town of Montreal West built a sidewalk completely across the width of Broughton Rd to prevent the cars to go from Lachine (Érables Street) to Montreal West (Broughton Rd). Broughton Rd has been the main access into Lachine's Hillcrest (Devil's Hill) neighbourhood for over 100 years. A traffic study done in this area found vehicular volumes to be "somewhat low" and recommended against a two-way traffic barrier being built there.

The closing of Broughton Rd creates an isolated enclave for Lachine's Devil's Hill (or Hillcrest) neighbourhood. The area is now left with only one road access to the rest of the world, and it has a 13% slope.

"Projet Montréal is always seeking to employ traffic-calming initiatives, but they must be done right," said NDG councillor, Peter McQueen. "The isolation of neighbourhoods can be extremely harmful to their urban fabric."

Besides concerns of urban isolation, local citizens have growing worries about their personal security due to the close proximity of industrial rail operations and because of access issues for emergency services. Both the fire department (SIM) and police department (SPVM) indicated that they were opposed to the Broughton closure.

"Hazardous materials are being transported on the CN line nearby and that makes local residents worried enough. Should something terrible happen, like a derailing, we'll only have one possible exit from our neighbourhood: it would be a total disaster," says local activist and freelance reporter, John Symon. "On top of that, because of the slope of the only access to our neighbourhood now, City employees have told us that it is going to be a challenge to bring the snow clearing equipment here next winter", adds Mr. Symon.

Projet Montreal is thus calling upon Lachine and Montreal West to work together in order to decrease traffic with a view to eventually removing the sidewalk and re-opening Broughton Rd.

For further information:

Catherine Maurice
Attachée de presse de la 2^e opposition
514 872-3153 ou 514 601-5542 (cell.)
[email protected]