NEWS AND ANALYSIS

Traffic turning people off MUHC

By Abby E. Schachter The Suburban MUHC - The McGill University Health Centre is meant to improve lives, reads a sign overlooking one of the hospital's construction sites. However, the irony of such a statement was made clear after local Westmount and NDG residents voiced their disapproval about the current access problems. Anna Rioux, a NDG resident, travels regularly to Westmount to care for her elderly mother. Rioux says that the road closures and construction has added stress to her life. "I'm pretty annoyed. I have to switch routes and improvise. When I'm running late, I get slowed down by construction. It's really inconvenient." Rioux added that closing off roads is not the main problem, "It would be fine if it was properly planned, I mean how much longer do you think this will last?" Glen Road was agreed to be used as an emergency access point only back in 2007. No one expected such disorder. A mass relocation of bus routes and exits has created traffic in suburban areas like NDG and CDN. Ben Pellerin says that even though he does not drive, he too has been affected by the construction. "Yes, I'm a pedestrian but road closures mean the rerouting of bus routes and bike paths. I could barely walk to Beaver Lake with my girlfriend the other day because all the streets had been dug up." Robert Fisher admitted the city should have planned better, "I feel like it's once again bad decision-making. Construction season's in full swing and we're pushing traffic around everywhere without much thought." Tanya Boulanger takes summer courses at Concordia University. "I go to school at Concordia's Loyola campus. I take the 105 from Vendome métro and it's probably one of the worst routes - its a mess. There is traffic all the time. I see at least two to three ambulances, police cars or fire trucks speed by every day.... it's really annoying." The diversion of traffic is the reason why the majority of Montrealers are not welcoming the expansion of MUHC with open arms. "It's a good idea, but there is too much wear and tear on the residents' nerves," remarked Sylvie Ohayon. n

Another NJT project breaks ground

By Dan Delmar The Suburban Namur-Jean Talon residential redevelopment is progressing at lightning speed with another upscale condominium project having broken ground last week. Côte des Neiges-NDG mayor Michael Applebaum and councillor Marvin Rotrand were on hand for the ceremonial sod-turning; with the help of generous grants and tax breaks from the city of Montreal, these projects are attracting attention from young, first-time homebuyers. "I really looked hard," said an elated Maya Azzi, who just bought a one- bedroom condo, pre-construction, at Vue. "Try to find a place where you're near autoroutes and a Métro line - and a new construction. It's impossible." One of the major selling points for NJT is the fact that it is in close proximity to three Métro stations (de la Savane, Namur and Plamondon) and two autoroutes (the Decarie expressway and the 40). The area to be developed will be worth $800 million by 2020, 10 times more than its current worth, according to borough spokespeople. It is on the northernmost tip of the borough, bordering the Town of Mount Royal, contained by Jean Talon St., de la Savane St. and Mountain Sights Ave. The first of six planned Vue condos buildings at Jean Talon and Mountain Sights (behind the former Tricot Dores manufacturer) is already under construction. The 10-storey 97-unit complex is expected to receive Azzi and other residents by next summer. Vue is a joint project; developer Canvar joined forces with the Lavy family, long-time owners of the property. "This isn't just a soil-turning event," said Ron Lavy last week, "it is a historic event in Namur-Jean Talon." See NJT PROJECT, page 8 ABBY SCHACHTER PHOTO

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