Pointe-Claire seeks to get ahead of light-rail traffic woes

The City of Pointe-Claire is asking the provincial government for help to improvetraffic flow and overhaul existing interchanges in time for the inauguration ofthe$5.5-billion light-rail project.

Traffic is already terrible onSt-JeanBoulevard, especially during rush hour. But the light-rail project could make matters worse, as there are plans to buildtwo major stations close to the boulevard.

With furtherresidential andcommercial developments planned for the area, municipal officials fearthegridlock could quickly become untenable.

Mayor Morris Trudeau said the changes that come with theprojectrepresentnew opportunities for his city, but also a slew of challenges.

"There's no question, there will be a lot more traffic because people will be attracted to this new mode of transportation," he said.

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Solving problems before they start

Pointe-Claire tabled a brief with the Quebec environmental review board, known as the BAPE,asking for the province's guidance to solvepotential issues before they become long-term problems.

Trudeau hopes not only to tackle north-southtraffic woes, but make existing interchangesmore pedestrian- and bike- friendly as well.

He also wants to move the planned location of the Pointe-Claire station from thewest side of Fairview Avenue to the east side,closer to the shopping centre.

It's a suggestion that CDPQInfrathe subsidiary ofQuebec's pension fundthat will plan, finance, develop andoperate the rail projectis considering.

"We think it's a good point and a good solution," media directorJean-Vincent Lacroix said.

"After we present a first draft of the location and the path, the goal for us was really to sit down with each municipality to make sure it makes sense for them."

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