The University of Montreal Hospital Center (CHUM) is giving formal notice to the City of Montreal since it intends to build a section of the REV, the Express Bike Network, just in front of the ambulance entrance.
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This new cycle path crossed the city center from east to west on the north side of rue Viger, where around fifty ambulances must turn every day to bring patients, sometimes in critical condition, to the premises of the centre. hospital.
The CHUM was informed two years ago of the Plante administration’s intention to create a protected bike path at this location.
The hospital center, located in the heart of downtown, shared many reservations, which were not listened to, according to its deputy president and chief executive officer (PDGA), Danielle Fleury.
“We learned on July 4 that work was beginning on the western part in front of the convention center, so it’s as if we’re being told that it’s going to happen,” explains Ms. Fleury.
The CHUM first sent a letter to the administration on June 29, which remained unanswered. A few days later, a formal notice followed.
Yesterday, following the formal notice, a meeting of about twenty minutes took place between the two parties. “We were just told it was going to happen,” says Danielle Fleury.
Despite the CHUM’s opposition to the section at this location, its PDGA maintains that it is not against such developments.
“For us, having cycle paths is very important, it’s just the location, the northern section of that street, it creates a really risky situation,” she said.
Contacted by TVA Nouvelles, the Plante administration declined to comment on the situation.
More details will follow.