Residents losing patience with delays of new bridge on Ile Bizard
Ile Bizard's newly-elected mayor, Doug Hurley, is a retired police commander who says Montreal hasn't properly addressed how to manage traffic for the 18,000 people who live in his borough.
The city is building a new bridge to replace the current one, which has reached the end of its life. But the construction work has dramatically reduced traffic flow with no alternative route to reach the island.
"It basically means if you're a resident here between the hours of roughly 3:30 till 6:30 at night, you're going to be delayed 20 minutes to almost 50 minutes in traffic for about 300 yards, which is ridiculous," said
The Jacques-Bizard bridge is the only way to get on or off the island. A police officer at each end of the bridge now directs traffic but the mayor says it's no longer enough, especially for the safety of pedestrians.
"The problem is car (drivers) are getting impatient. They cut between pedestrians," he said, adding that he fears a tragedy could be looming.
Hurley is asking the city to force the contractor to find a way to open two lanes during rush hour and to add more traffic police. Former borough councillor Robert Samoszewski, who used to be part of the Valerie Plante administration, agrees the city didn't live up to its promise of providing better traffic flow.
"I don't understand why they've dropped the ball. And essentially that's what it is to me. We need more police directing traffic," Samoszewski said.
Hurley says the police department regularly assigns cadets — who are police academy recruits without authority to issue tickets — and says aggressive motorists often ignore them. But the City of Montreal says it can’t do much right now.
The city’s engineers say opening two lanes is simply not an option. A major portion of the road work will be completed in late May, which will likely allow the opening of an additional lane.
But what’s even more frustrating for people from Ile Bizard is that the construction of the new bridge was supposed to be completed this year. Unfortunately, engineers stumbled upon a major problem while doing the work — they will have to reinstall a pillar, which is expected to delay the project by up to a year.
Local residents have had just about enough.
"With all this, we're thinking of selling the house and all that," said a mother of a teenager told CTV News as they walked out of a local store.
Businesses are also suffering because of traffic and detours. A bakery owner who would only identify himself as Giuseppe says the impact of the detours has reduced business in a nearby strip mall by up to 40 per cent.
But there's another headache looming. An international golf tournament, the President’s Cup, will take place in September at the Royal Montreal Golf Club of Montreal, located on Ile Bizard. It’s expected to attract golf fans, stars and celebrities from around the world.
"I won't only have 18,000 [residents]. I'll have 30,000 per day additional people coming on the island," said Hurley.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Unruly passenger' forces WestJet flight to make emergency landing in B.C.
A WestJet flight heading to Calgary had to make an emergency landing in northern B.C. Monday due to an incident involving an 'unruly passenger,' Mounties say.
The double-level airplane seat is back. This time, there’s a first-class version
It’s the airplane seat design that launched a thousand memes and kickstarted a media storm. And now the double-level seat is back – only this time, with a twist.
Three people shot to death in tiny South Dakota town; former mayor charged
Three people were shot to death in a small South Dakota town, and a former law officer who once served as the town's mayor is charged in the killings.
Debunking the 'anti-sunscreen' movement: Doctors say TikTok trend is dangerous
Dermatologists are sounding the alarm about misinformation from the anti-sunscreen movement, saying not wearing sunscreen can cause cancer and other problems.
Poilievre Conservatives offer to help Trudeau Liberals pass foreign interference bill
Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Party is offering to help Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government pass a piece of legislation aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada.
Ont. university says professor fired over 'unethical' sexual relationships with students
An associate professor at McMaster University has been fired after its board of governors found that he engaged in 'unethical, inappropriate and in some instances exploitative' sexual relationships with students.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.
'Irrefutable evidence': integrity commissioner finds Parole Board member sexually harassed 'several' employees
There is 'irrefutable evidence' a member of the Parole Board of Canada sexually harassed multiple employees, without adequate disciplinary action from management, according to a report by Canada's Public Sector Integrity Commissioner.
'Son of Sam' killer Berkowitz denied parole in 12th attempt
'Son of Sam' killer David Berkowitz, who set New York City on edge with late-night shootings in the 1970s, was denied parole after his twelfth board appearance.