By Joel Ceausu
The Suburban
The work schedule for the reconfiguration of Terrebonne has already been established, with the first phase transforming the road into one-ways heading east and west from Cavendish, (to Girouard and Coronation respectively), installing a two-lane bike path and removing parking from the north side, slated for the week of June 24.
The plan has been adopted and the work schedule pronounced, but that did not stop opponents from rallying against the scheme, which they have long contended was not adopted with consultation of residents affected and is being imposed on the neighborhood to serve a small minority. They further questioned the bicycle traffic data and methodology used to support the plan, which will ultimately result in some 300 less parking spaces on Terrebonne. One person noted that after 90 minutes on the corner, only 9 cyclists were seen on the roadway., prompting another to say “the 400 the borough claims all ride at 3 am!” to hoots of laughter.
Some 120 people rallied at William Hurst park on Saturday to voice their opposition to the plan, carrying signs and hearing speakers, including NDG school commissioner Joseph Lalla and Snowdon councilor Sonny Moroz, along with organizers who denounced the process as undemocratic, and promised to not let up the pressure to see the project stopped or reversed “until a real consultation” is held, said co-organizer Irwin Rapoport.
Several demonstrators spoke of the effects on different institutions, indicating that the city will not allow Saint-Monica’s church to transform part of their greenspace into parking, effectively forcing the church to dramatically alter its weddings and funeral practices.
Watched closely by two SPDM officers, the group was heckled frequently by passers-by on bicycles, with shouts of “bring on the path!” and “deal with it!” as well as one cyclist stopping to berate the protestors before she departed cursing at the crowd. Many motorists however, honked in support of the demonstration, including several city of Montreal vehicles, with one municipal employee telling The Suburban at the intersection, “downtown doesn’t care about any of these people.”
The work will continue in three phases: Cavendish to Coronation; Cavendish to Grand; and Grand to Girouard and is expected to last about a month. n