Much debate has surrounded the City of Beaconsfield's proposition of a sound wall, which would stretch five kilometres from Devon Rd. in the west, to the city's border at Jasper Rd.
There have been some fierce supporters in favour of the wall. Last August, when the West Island News spoke to Michel Rheault, President of the Beaconsfield Polluted Corridor Initiative (BPCI), he was cautiously optimistic about progress for the wall, which has been up for debate for years.
PHOTO: City of Beaconsfield
At the time, Mayor Georges Bourelle shared that the city had reached out to the Ministries of Transport (MTQ) and Health to seek confirmation on the highway's health impacts. If it is, in fact, a matter of public health, the wall will receive government funding. Dr. David Kaiser, the physician responsible for environmental health at Montreal Public Health, had voiced concern that residents living within 150 meters of the highway could experience adverse health effects.
PHOTO: City of Beaconsfield; Michel Rheault (left) and Mayor Georges Bourelle (right) at a council meeting last summer.
Rheault shared that M.N.A. Gregory Kelley brought this matter up to ministerial committees this past year, and it was brought to Montréal Minister Mr. Fitzgibbon's attention. The MTQ representative stated that this barrier would cost between $50 and $60 million, though according to Rheault, he estimated it to be a $25-30 million project. Upon request for a copy of the report, access was refused by the MTQ.
The BPCI's response was that they wanted the full 54-page report. A mediation meeting was held on August 17 with a lawyer from the MTQ. Each side presented its position, and it was agreed upon to postpone the meeting with the judge in order to have a second mediation meeting, this time with an MTQ employee. This meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 24.
SOURCE: Beaconsfield Polluted Corridor Initiative (BPCI)
