MUHC Good Neighbours Forum: Unanswered questions for the MTQ-STM and the AMT

MONTREAL, Jan. 24, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - While Projet Montreal welcomes the arrival of the MUHC to the Glen site in NDG, many unanswered questions remain, in particular for the MTQ, the STM and the AMT. Peter McQueen, councillor for Notre-Dame-de-Grace, is urging citizens to ask questions where these three agencies and the Montreal Bureau des Grand Projets are present at the Good Neighbours Meeting, tonight.

"It is normal that NDGers are concerned about this project," says Peter McQueen, "There are many changes coming to the area especially around Vendome metro. This is around a crucial intermodal area for South Eastern NDG. Busses, metros, and trains all pass through there."

Some of the questions Peter McQueen has:

No Second Entrance to the already overloaded Vendôme metro

There is still no announcement about a second Eastern entrance going from the Vendome metro-train station directly to the new hospital. And there is no announcement on whether there will be elevators. This entrance is critical for maximizing transit use amongst hospital employees and visitors. Already, the single Vendome metro entrance and train transfer tunnel is operating at full capacity.

Still No Answer about Westmount's Gated Entrance

The Quebec government has not forced Westmount to open the emergency access during the current busy construction period from De Courcelles in St-Henri which is currently built and gated. This entrance touches the far southwest corner of Westmount's Glen Road. At minimum, we call on Westmount to clarify if pedestrians and cyclists from the Southwest borough will be able to access the hospital through this peaceful, gradual slope.

Plan for the Demolishing of St-Jacques Bridge Unclear

The MTQ has not publicly clarified the exact timetable of its plans to temporarily demolish and then rebuild the St-Jacques Bridge over the Decarie expressway. This bridge will be demolished and rebuilt as part of the Turcot reconstruction. The City Centre Montreal Glen hospital road planners need to explain why they are still sticking to their controversial plan to close the Upper Lachine underpass in 2013. They also need to tell NDG residents how they will access St-Henri and highway 720 to downtown during this difficult period.

"I will be on hand to listen to the answers to these and other questions NDG residents have about this massive construction. Quality of life of NDG residents must be preserved in spite of the arrival of the MUHC in our neighbourhood'', says Peter McQueen.

MUHC Good Neighbours Meeting
Tuesday, Jan 24^th, 7pm
Crowley Arts Centre, 5325 Crowley
Entrance from Upper Lachine and Prud'Homme just west of the Vendome metro

For further information:

Catherine Maurice
Attachée de presse de la 2^e opposition
514 872-3153 / 514 601-5542
[e-mail]