Citizens of the Saint-Laurent borough, in Montreal, denounce the borough’s decision to remove a mandatory stop in the heart of a commercial area very popular with families, and where the safety of active travel is already compromised.
“When I saw that they were going to remove the stop, I couldn’t believe it,” says Danielle Major, a resident of the area. There are plenty of shops here, terraces, a café, a creamery… Removing the stop is the last thing the neighborhood needs. »
With several of his neighbors, Mme Major launched a petition that she is having passers-by sign along Décarie Boulevard, in order to oppose the withdrawal of the stop planned for June 10 by the administration of borough mayor Alan DeSousa. Wednesday noon, almost all the passers-by agreed to sign the petition.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
A group of citizens signed a petition with the aim of overturning this decision by the borough council.
People are surprised when we tell them that the ruling is going to be withdrawn. They see that it makes no sense.
Danielle Major, area resident who launched a petition
Katia Grubisic, who lives in Saint-Laurent with her family, notes that the mandatory stop protects a pedestrian crossing constantly used by residents of the area, which has three schools, two CEGEPs and several daycares.
“We need more ways to promote the conviviality and safety of active travel in this location, not less! “, she says.
A sign that should not be there, according to Saint-Laurent
A merchant who complained to the Montreal City Police Service (SPVM) recently that the mandatory stop was poorly respected by certain motorists pushed the police to rule that a stop sign should not be located in this location.
Marc-Olivier Fritsch, from the communications department of the Saint-Laurent borough, notes that the pedestrian crossing located between 849 and 850, boulevard Décarie does not constitute an intersection according to the Road safety code.
“Having an intersection is an essential condition for installing a stop sign according to road sign standards,” he says.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
The stop sign had been up for 18 years.
The upcoming removal of the stop will be accompanied by ground markings, crossing signs with rapidly flashing lights that each pedestrian can activate manually, as well as flexible yellow markers, which will be removed during the winter months.
Explanations that do not satisfy residents.
Sébastien Carrillo, resident of Saint-Laurent, notes that the obligation to have an intersection to put up a stop sign is a Quebec standard that applies to numbered roads, which typically have a high volume of high-speed traffic .
“Engineers in Montreal’s boroughs take refuge behind this provincial standard so as not to act in a dense urban living environment, where it does not apply,” he says.
INFOGRAPHICS THE PRESS
Stop signs that will be removed
Mr. Carrillo notes that this mandatory stop has been in place for almost 18 years, without anyone being offended.
“So what’s the emergency?” We want the borough to take the time to make safety arrangements that will make motorists slow down. But they tell us they’re going to remove the stop, paint a tie, and “see how it goes.” In summary: neighborhood families will serve as guinea pigs to determine whether it works or not. It is shameful. »
Met on site on Wednesday, a police officer suggested banning all crossings at this location, and putting gates in the center of Décarie Boulevard to prevent people from crossing it on foot.
Cutting off pedestrian access to the heart of a popular shopping area is not the solution, Mr. Carrillo said.
“We have a great neighborhood life here, with terraces. We must encourage it, not put obstacles in the way of people to prioritize the fluidity of motorized transit. »
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The general director of Piétons Québec, Sandrine Cabana-Degani, in 2022
Sandrine Cabana-Degani, general director of Piétons Québec, notes that the overhaul of the Ministry of Transport’s standards is one of the issues on which her team is working.
“We find it strange that the SPVM calls into question the development. There are plenty of substandard developments everywhere on our streets, in Montreal and elsewhere. However, the police enforce them. The driver has the obligation to comply with the signs. The police should not start saying that they will not give tickets to this or that place. This is not the message we should be sending. »
If pedestrian crossings were respected by all motorists, the change proposed by the borough would be commendable, she adds.
“But we all know that’s not the world we live in, unfortunately. »
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
The sign is not installed at an intersection, a situation that requires its removal, according to the borough.
Elan Cohenca, a merchant for 38 years on Décarie Boulevard, notes that the neighborhood’s pedestrian facilities are almost always left unsupervised, with the police being busy elsewhere.
“Motorists often arrive at 50 km/h here, because it is a straight line for them. And then, are we going to remove the stop? Imagine a child crossing the pedestrian crossing because he thinks he has been seen. It’s amazing to think that this is the right solution. »
Michel Teodoro, who has been a barber on Décarie Boulevard for more than 60 years, is of the same opinion. On January 4, he was hit there by a motorist who fled after the collision. The motorist could not be found by the SPVM.
“We want them to add cameras, not remove the stop,” he said.