Opposition to Highway 19 extension welcomes BAPE report that urges urban boulevard

A $600-million plan to extend Highway 19 through Laval and into the northern suburbs that critics contend will exacerbate traffic congestion on Montreal has been given the green light by Quebec's environmental review board, with some reservations.

Highway 19 is currently seven kilometres long, extending from Papineau running from Henri-Bourassa Blvd. in Ahuntsic to Dagenais Blvd. in the Vimont area of Laval. Graham Hughes / Montreal Gazette File Photo

Share Adjust Comment Print

A plan to extend Highway 19 through Laval and into the northern suburbs to alleviate traffic congestion is justified, Quebec’s environmental review board declared Thursday. 

But Quebec needs to conduct an in-depth study of the option of building an urban boulevard instead of a proposed eight-kilometre, $600-million four-lane highway before it turns soil on the project, the board said.

Opposition parties and environmental groups who opposed the highway proposal on the grounds it will increase automobile use and traffic congestion on the island of Montreal hailed the report as proof Quebec needs to “go back to the drawing board” and rethink its plans.

“This is good news,” said Luc Ferrandez, leader of municipal opposition party Projet Montréal. “The creation of an urban boulevard, that prioritizes public transit, must be the imperative.”

In a report released Thursday morning, the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE) said that following extensive public consultations that saw 43 briefs submitted, it concluded “that a link between Highways 440 and 640 connecting Highway 19 to Highway 335 is justified.”

The report added, however, that a more in-depth comparative analysis is needed to decide whether the extension should be a highway, or an urban boulevard, before Quebec’s transport department makes a final decision.

At present, Papineau Ave. in the north of Montreal turns into Highway 19 and extends into Laval as far as Highway 440. From there, it becomes a two-lane secondary Route 335, which is habitually clogged with commuters driving between the northern suburbs and Montreal. The proposed eight-kilometre extension of Highway 19 north of Laval would add an extra lane for drivers, and a reserved lane for public transit, and has been requested by municipalities north of Montreal for decades to shorten their commuting time into the city.

The Quebec government and Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre have come out in favour of the project, but opposition party Projet Montréal contends spending $600-million on a eight-kilometre highway extension is a waste that will only increase Montreal’s traffic woes and greenhouse gases. Studies have shown new highways quickly become as congested as the routes they replace, the party says. Better to opt for a less expensive urban boulevard with traffic lights that would not increase traffic rates.

Mayors of the northern suburbs contend such a boulevard would be as slow as what exists presently. Ferrandez responded that with a reserved lane for efficient public transit, commuters will cross Laval in record time. Given the current government’s austerity push, any changes might be a long time coming, he added.

On Thursday, Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre would not say which option he preferred, telling the 24 Heures news outlet he is leaving that decision up to Quebec, which has jurisdiction.

In a communique issued Thursday evening, Quebec Transport Minister Robert Poëti said his department would carefully analyze the BAPE report and its recommendations. He did not say whether the BAPE’s recommendation of a detailed comparison of the two options — urban boulevard versus highway — would be done.

Some facts about the Highway 19 extension

Highway 19 is currently seven kilometres long, extending from Papineau running from Henri-Bourassa Blvd. in Ahuntsic to Dagenais Blvd. in the Vimont area of Laval. The extension would stretch it an additional eight kilometres to Highway 640 in Bois-des-Filion, across the Rivière-des-Mille-Îles. That eight-kilometre stretch is currently served by Route 335, which only has one lane in each direction. The project, estimated at $500 to 600-million, would add, in each direction, an extra lane for vehicles, a third bus-only lane, and a multi-use path for cyclists and snowmobiles.

Why is it so expensive?

In part, because it would also build four new interchanges along the path, and a park-and-ride lot in Bois-des-Filion with room for 690 cars.

Why is this needed?

The government says the population growth in off-island suburbs has resulted in the following problems: Regular traffic jams on Route 335 between Highways 440 and 640. Oversaturated intersections on Route 334 and on Dagenais Blvd. Overflow traffic on municipal roads, especially on des Laurentides Blvd. Inadequate public transit north of Highway 440.

What will it mean for people in Montreal?

Opponents fear that making that corridor better for cars will increase traffic in Montreal neighbourhoods along Papineau Ave., especially in Ahuntsic, bringing more noise, more pollution and more accidents.

What it will mean for people living north of Montreal?

Besides congestion related to road work, BAPE (Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement) has identified the following major impacts to the communities in Laval and the North Shore: More noise, landscape impacts, and environmental impacts.

Why it is controversial?

Opponents of the extension say the project goes against several goals stated by the Quebec government in recent years: the reduction of greenhouse gases, more investment in public transit, and efforts to stem the flight of young families to the suburbs.

This Week's Flyers

