1st information session on Montreal's proposed light rail network draws crowd

Around 100 people turned out Wednesday night for the first in a series of public open houses on Montreal's proposedlight rail network.

The consultation tookplace at the Le Crystal reception hall in the Saint-Laurent borough.

Representatives of CDPQ Infra, the Caisse de dpt et placement du Qubec consortium behind the light rail project, were on hand to provide information and answer questions from the public.

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Quebec's pension fund is proposing to cover $3 billion of the $5.5 billionelectric,67-kilometre rail line that would connect 24 stations. The proposed stationsstretchfrom the South Shore to Montreal's Trudeau airport and beyond, to both the West Island and Laval.

Participants who spoke to CBC Montrealat Wednesday night'spublic hearing had mainly favourable opinions of the ambitious project, though a few expressed doubts.

Alex San Gregorio, an engineer at a company based at the Technopark in Saint-Laurent, called the 2020 target for the LRT network's entry into service"extremely ambitious."

"I wish them the best of luck," he said.

All things considered, however, he's in favour of the project.

"I think it's excellent. It's a long time coming, especially with all the traffic issues we have, getting toand from the airport especially," he said. "[We're] an island city, and it seems sometimes like we're also in a jail."

AlanDeSousa, borough mayor ofSaint-Laurent,said the project has many "winning conditions."

"You've got a project that serves the entire community on the regional basis."

Upcoming open houses are scheduled in the following municipalities:

• Brossard, June 2, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at theCentre socioculturel de Brossard,7905 San-Francisco Ave.
• le-des-Surs, June 8, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. atthe Centre communautaire Elgar,260 Elgar St.
• Pointe-Claire, June 9, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at theHoliday Inn & Suites,6700 Trans-Canada Highway.
• Deux-Montagnes, June 15,from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. atVeteran's Hall,141 Grand-Moulin St.

Open houses will also be held in Montreal. Details will be announced soon.

• MAP| Clickhere for a detailed view ofthe 24 stations