(Montreal) Everything, except an aerial train. This sums up the position of Québec solidaire, which undertakes never to erect concrete structures in the east of Montreal, to replace the REM de l’Est project, if it is brought to power next October. .
Posted at 12:53 p.m.
The Member of Parliament for Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Alexandre Leduc, and the candidate for Bourget, Marie-Eve Rancourt, went out on Monday to confirm that under a united government, a light aerial train would never be installed in the eastern neighborhoods. Montreal, since this mode would create a new “urban divide”, according to them.
“The visual horror that this would create for the neighbors who live in these neighborhoods would be unbearable,” said Mr. Leduc in an interview with The Canadian Press. “Having a 10-meter-high concrete structure as a neighbor isn’t fun. »
The REM de l’Est was originally supposed to connect the east of the island to the city center using an aerial route for the majority of its route. The promise: to get from Pointe-aux-Trembles to the city center in 25 minutes.
Photo Catherine Lefebvre, LA PRESSE archives
The deputy for Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Alexandre Leduc during a demonstration against the air REM, in 2021.
But due to widespread criticism, the project was withdrawn from the hands of CDPQ Infra, the real estate arm of the Caisse de depot et placement du Québec, and the Quebec government took over the reins earlier this month.
Québec solidaire fears, however, that the new project, which is still being analyzed by the government, the City of Montreal and the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM), retains the idea of a light aerial train – this which he fiercely opposes.
“There is no social acceptability for this mode, explains Mme Rancourt. It has been criticized by citizens, but also by architects and urban planners. It is an urban divide that would be added to a neighborhood where there are already many of them. »
New layout, but also new mode
When it regained control of the project, the government immediately announced that the portion of downtown, strongly denounced because of the architectural impact that the concrete structures on René-Lévesque Boulevard would have had, was abandoned.
But according to Québec solidaire, the route of the new project for the eastern districts remains too vague. “I would be curious to go for a walk in these neighborhoods and see if people know that air transport is still on the table,” underlines Mr. Leduc.
During an information session organized last week by the Collectif en environnement Mercier-Est – a group of citizens opposed to the Eastern REM project – the ARTM affirmed that all options were on the table. about the new project.
“Nothing is set in stone,” said Executive Director, Public Affairs, Marketing and Customer Experience for the ARTM, Michel Lemay. […] By the end of the year, we want to be able to come up with a mode and the main parameters of what I would call an alternative solution that could rally everyone. »
CDPQ Infra initially chose an elevated train for its light rail, since this mode makes it possible to avoid intersections and other obstacles on a track shared with other vehicles. The time saved was therefore considerable compared to the time required to make the same journey by car or bus.
Of course, an underground metro also avoids these pitfalls, but it is much more expensive to build.
But Québec solidaire believes that this time saving is not enough to justify the installation of concrete structures in residential neighborhoods. The party believes that while the aerial train can meet the needs of people who frequently travel from the east to the city center, it neglects those who have to travel between neighborhoods.
“There are also displacements within the districts. We have to assess the needs and respond to them appropriately,” says Ms.me Rancourt.
Québec solidaire has not decided on which mode – tram, metro or other – it would set its sights once in power, but the party is convinced that an aerial train cannot work.
Public consultations
A short walk on Souligny and Sherbrooke streets in the Mercier district allows you to see many signs opposing the REM de l’Est.
Now that they have won the abandonment of the initial project, the citizens are demanding to be consulted for its new version. This is what several of them did during the meeting organized last week with the ARTM.
“I would like us to carry the voice of the many people who are here this evening and who do not want an aerial route”, launched one of them to the applause of the crowd.
The ARTM has promised to continue the consultations, and this is also what Québec solidaire is asking for.
“We need a structural link in the East, there is a consensus on that, but let’s build it with ARTM professionals and based on people’s needs to have the best possible project,” thinks Mr. Leduc. .