An independent provincial agency has recommended that the Quebec government modify its current plans to rebuild the Turcot Interchange.
Residents who have been protesting the project say they consider the agency's findings a small victory.
"The report goes along with people's position that we should avoid expropriation. People should not be evicted because a highway is being built close to their homes," said Denis Levesque, a community activist with the group Mobilization Turcot.
The bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environment (BAPE) studied the possible consequences of transforming the elevated network of highways and access ramps to a ground level interchange.
In a lengthy report, the BAPE said the expropriation of some 160 homes to make space for new roadways is unacceptable.
The agency contends that Transports Quebec did not do an adequate job of taking the concerns of area residents into consideration, and that the government's plans should be reviewed with the goal of limiting the impact on the population.
Environmental concerns
The BAPE said it is also concerned about the environmental impact of the project, which favours car use over public transit.
First opened for Expo 67, the interchange is now used by roughly 280,000 vehicles daily -- including 28,000 trucks.
The Quebec government is not bound by the report, but Transport Minister Julie Boulet said the recommendations are being taken into consideration.
"There will be important changes (to the plan)," Boulet said.
The cost of the planned seven-year reconstruction project was originally pegged at $1.5 billion, but Boulet said that figure will rise significantly with any changes to the project.
