JOHN JANAK

JOHN JANAK
The 1019 Report

In anticipation of the opening of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges Hospital, the town of St. Lazare has pleaded with the Quebec government for years without success to widen Cité des Jeunes Blvd., a major artery that falls under provincial jurisdiction in this municipality.

But that is not going to stop neighbouring Vaudreuil-Dorion, which last week announced it will widen its stretch of the road – which falls under municipal control in that city – into a four-lane artery.

While the move will help handle the expected increase in traffic on the road where the hospital is being built, Vaudreuil-Dorion Mayor Guy Pilon is quick to point out that traffic on Cité des Jeunes through St. Lazare remains the bigger issue.

“It’s a problem right now,” Pilon said. “And with 3,000 people expected to be working there, plus the patients and all the delivery trucks and traffic going there, it will be a big, big mess.”

And St. Lazare Mayor Geneviève Lachance agrees.

“We feel this would be the best option not only for St. Lazare residents. It’s a provincial road and it connects to many towns to the west of us,” Lachance said.

So far, the only work Quebec has agreed to carry out on Cité des Jeunes in St. Lazare is to add turning lanes at two intersections – at Montée Labossière and St. Louis Road. That is expected to be completed by the time the hospital is scheduled to open in 2026. 

Lachance said a request made by the city to Transport Quebec to reduce the 90 km/h speed limit to 70 km/h on Cité des Jeunes west of Ste. Angelique Road because of the road’s close proximity to a high-density residential area, was also denied.

Traffic on Cite des Jeunes in St. Lazare is already problematic, especially during the weekday morning and afternoon rush hours, as an estimated 15,000 vehicles use the roadway each day. And Lachance expects the situation to worsen.

“We see frequent accidents on that road. It’s very difficult for businesses, especially when people are trying to get back onto the road,” said Lachance.

“There’s also a huge worry about emergency vehicles being stuck in traffic. Are the ambulances going to reach the hospital in time? Is this going to put people at risk?” Lachance asked.

City officials also met with Soulanges MNA Marilyn Picard to discuss the issue, but nothing came of the exchange, Lachance said.

“There’s really no opening on the part of the MTQ right now to make any changes on Cité des Jeunes, other than the two turning lanes,” Lachance said.

The city is also concerned about how the province’s lack of action will affect the city’s urban planning when it comes to housing, commercial and light industrial development in the area.

“It’s really difficult to have these discussions when there’s no real open mind to make these changes. The transport ministry is more reactive than proactive,” Lachance added.

A survey conducted by the city in February 2022 found that 81 per cent of residents want Cité des Jeunes widened to four lanes.

The hospital is expected to have 3,200 employees, which along with patients, visitors and suppliers, will further increase traffic on the busy roadway.