MONTREAL- New borough Mayor Russell Copeman was able to assemble 22 elected officials to listen to the challenges facing his area Friday.
But that doesn't mean that his problems are any closer to being solved.
His wish list for the Cote des Neiges/NDG borough appeared no closer to reality than it did by the start of the day.
Topping the changes he seeks is the creation of a tunnel to provide access to the upcoming superhospital from the Vendome metro.
He also wants a rethink of the province's plans to close and repair certain roads in NDG, a rejigging that will likely make navigating NDG difficult for motorists.
Under current plans, those getting off at the Vendome metro will have to walk a significant distance outdoors to get to the adjacent health facility, but the plea for a $75-million tunnel and wheelchair accessibility in the metro has not been embraced by the province.
“We are building a state-of-the-art $1.3 billion healthcare facility that people with reduced mobility can't get you without going upstairs and over train tracks,” said Copeman. “It's nonsense.”
Another major issue is a series of road adjustments that will include the permanent removal of the ramp to the 720 East.
The viaduct over the Decarie on St. Jacques will also be demolished in mid-February to be replaced in 2016.
The demolition will be concurrent with other major longterm roadwork in the area, events that are forecast to create serious long-term traffic snags.
Transport Quebec officials have shrugged off all pleas to rethink the roadwork plans or even delay the demolitions, saying that the work must proceed on schedule.
