Proposed sound barrier to quiet highway noise in Longueuil sparks debate on who should pay for it
Alejandra Camacho and her family love spending time in their backyard in Longueuil, but the peace and quiet can be disrupted by noise coming from Route 116.
A sound barrier to block the noise would help, but the city wants residents to help foot the bill.
Camacho says she called the city when she made an offer on the house in 2020. “They told me the money was there, and the wall would get built. I thought we would get a bonus, not suffer a loss,” she said.
A sound wall already exists, and the city paid for it.
Now, however, it says the project’s rising costs mean it can no longer pay for extending the barrier on its own.
At a meeting last month, the city proposed the 265 residents living near the highway pay a portion.
For Camacho, that would mean an additional $1,800 a year—more than half of her current municipal tax bill.
“Why was the first phase paid for by all taxpayers, and that’s no longer the case for phase two? It makes no sense,” she said.
In a statement, the City of Longueuil said: “All concerned residents can express their views about the proposal on our website. One thing is certain: the city will not be able to move forward without an alternative financial scenario. If the status quo persists, the project will have to be put on hold.”
That answer doesn’t sit well with resident Yvon Fortier.
“Forget it,” he told CTV News. “If it means I have to pay for it, I don’t want it. I’m retired, I want to continue to live comfortably. We also don’t want to sell the house at a loss.”
A decision on whether to extend the wall is expected by the fall.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.