Cave-in on building site forces closure of Chemin Saint-Louis

Peter Black, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

peterblack@qctonline.com

A cave-in at a large construction site on Chemin Saint-Louis forced the closing of several blocks of the major artery for several days last week.

The cave-in, along the side- walk and about one-third the length of the excavation happened on Nov. 11 and was the result of a contractor’s miscalculation in the placement of posts supporting the retaining wall, according to media reports.

A city police spokesperson said debris from the collapsing wall fell on a mechanical shovel working on the excavation. A construction worker was given medical attention and a workplace safety investigation will take place.

The city announced at the end of the week one lane would be open in the affected section of Chemin Saint-Louis, allowing for the passage of alternating traffic.

The construction site, between Rue Villeray and Rue de la Forest, is for the first phase of the huge La Forest housing project, announced earlier this year. The plan calls for a 13-storey building comprising 350 residential units.

City spokesperson Karine Desbiens said the contractor has promised to do the work necessary to get the street fully opened by the beginning of December. In a statement, she said, “The city worked jointly with the contractor and leveraged its various areas of expertise to enable a safe re- opening as quickly as possible. Road users are advised to be careful and pay attention to the temporary signage in place. Access to businesses in the area is maintained at all times.”

The closure compounded the difficulties of Michelangelo, a popular local restaurant, situated immediately west of the construction site. Owner Nicola Cortina told the QCT the closure of Chemin Saint-Louis made it even more difficult for patrons to drive to his restaurant.

Because of a major project to reconfigure the approaches to the bridges, drivers are compelled to take detours around the area.

“It’s very complicated, it’s not easy,” Cortina said, noting he had only a handful of customers for lunch that day. “It’s a disaster.” He estimates he has already lost about a million dollars in business due to the bridge project.

Cortina said he is hoping for compensation for lost business but so far has not been informed of any potential payment.

The Ministry of Transport is conducting the bridge approach project and has not stated publicly whether affected merchants will be compensated for lost business.