Increased safety for those using LaSalle Boulevard!

Reconfiguration planned so speed can be reduced

The Verdun borough held an information meeting on the project, which brought together 43 residents at the Centre culturel, this past Tuesday evening. Supported by a vast study realized upon the request of the Public Works and Traffic Commission, presided over by councillor André Savard, the report demonstrates that it’s possible to intervene by increasing the sidewalk and installing flower pots and small reflective posts, on the section of LaSalle Blvd, between Leclair and Richard.

"It's not the best, but it's not the worst," is Mr. Savard's answer, when asked about the problems of speed and traffic in this area. Basically, Verdun does not rank any worse than other Montreal boroughs. "Our goal is to reduce speed, but in order to do that, we have to change driver's habits," he stated.

According to the study, 85% of vehicles drive at an average speed of 60 km or less. It's only about 15% of drivers who seem to drive excessively fast. For the majority of residents however, these inconsiderate drivers seem to attract so much of their attention that the impression is given that everyone is speeding. During the study, 4,804 cars drove down LaSalle Blvd during a 24-hour span, including morning and afternoon rush hour, with the average being between 500 and 800 cars per hour.

Among the major changes to take place, the reconfiguration of rue Bannantyne, LaSalle Blvd and rue de Verdun with the boulevard, so the angle of these intersections will be modified and the risk of an accident reduced. In order to minimize the impact for residents and businesses (the travel agency) on rue de Verdun between Godin and LaSalle, parking spaces will be created. Parking on a bias on LaSalle will also be eliminated, so it can be replaced with parking parallel to the sidewalk. The same changes have netted positive results for Champlain Blvd.

Such changes won't be too costly. Approximately $20,000 will be spent and work will take place between June 4 and July 13, without affecting traffic. Eventually, a more elaborate configuration is planned for in the Douglas section, but that would cost between $1.5 M and $2 M.

Mayor Trudel believes that members of the Commission have done a great job. "A number of residents shared with us their concerns regarding safety in this area and we are happy to be able to offer them a project that we're convinced will respond to their needs," he stated.