Home | Contacts | Classifieds | Archives | Media Kit | Email Us |
Officials with the Borough of Villeray/St-Michel/Park Extension are facing questions about access from Park Extension over the CP Rail tracks to Faillon Street West and Jarry Park — which hasn't been available since the St. Roch Street pedestrian overpass was closed for safety reasons by the centre city two years ago.
During the borough council's monthly meeting on Nov. 4, Suzanne Tremblay, a Villeray resident, complained that she has been unable to cross the tracks into Park Extension for more than year-and-a-half. Mayor Anie Samson said the issue is also of concern to the borough, due to the fact the borough council plans to relocate some of its offices into a new location, 405 Ogilvy Avenue, before the end of the year.
New crossing by spring
According to Samson, a new link across the track should be established by springtime. Benoît Lacroix, chief of the borough's urban planning department, said, "The position of the owner of the railroad tracks, Canadian Pacific, applies in principle to all level crossing on their railways. That is the position in principle of Canadian Pacific in all dossiers in Montreal. It makes allowance for aerial pedestrian walkways or the creation of tunnels."
However, according to Lacroix, "these two types of structure have an enormous problem, which is the security of users and the difficulty for police services to control these facilities in the evening, the night or early in the morning." Lacroix said the city has previously succeeded in negotiating terms for several level crossings, including the one at Ball Avenue which allows pedestrians to walk from Park Extension across the CP tracks into Jarry Park.
CP owns tracks
He noted that the warning system at the crossing is "relatively sophisticated with a sound system to warn, with gates that close and an automatic controller. The cost for a level crossing like that varies from $350,000 to $500,000 and must be implemented by Canadian Pacific and not by the city, because it is an installation belonging to a specific owner." Lacroix said the borough has been discussing it all with CP, nearby property owners and other interested parties, to try and find a solution.
"I would say that the discussions are going well, in the sense that everyone is talking and there are positive exchanges," he said. "But, obviously, the question of who will be paying the cost for implementing it, and what form it will end up taking, are still up for discussion." Noting that Faillon Street West is just across the tracks from the large parking lot behind 405 Ogilvy Avenue, Lacroix hinted that this might be an appropriate location for a pedestrian crossing.
Habs hockey rink donation honoured
During the borough council meeting, representatives of the Montreal Canadiens hockey club and the Fondation des Canadiens pour l'Enfance, were on hand to sign the borough's Golden Book, and to be recognized for their recent donation of large refrigerated hockey rink, which is currently under construction in St-Michel at François-Perrault Park. The Habs organization decided to make the gift in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the founding of their team. Thefoundation is contributing nearly $1 million for the construction of the ice rink and will also furnishing equipment to be used by youngsters. The inauguration of the skating rink is set for next Dec. 10.
Opposition to MTC fare increase
Also during the borough council meeting, a spokesperson for a tenants rights association, Bénédicte Guillard, questioned the borough mayor about a commitment she and the borough made at an earlier meeting. when a resolution was passed pledging to oppose proposed Montreal Transit Corp. fare increases that will be coming into effect in January. Samson said the commitment stands.