MTQ

Gaspé: First step in reconfiguring York Boulevard West in the Sunny Bank sector

Local Journalism Initiative / The Gaspé Spec / September 11, 2024 / class action, erosion, gaspe, MTQ, nelson sergerie

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

GASPÉ – The Quebec Ministry of Transport (MTQ) has issued a call for tenders for the redevelopment of York Boulevard West in the Sunny Bank sector of Gaspé.

The ministry wants to carry out the first step, which is the environmental impact study of the project, necessary to rebuild the road. In June 2022, the Sunny Bank Flood Committee won a class action against the Ministry of Transport (MTQ) and the court ordered it to carry out corrective work to maintain an adequate level of service for a flow of 600 cubic metres/second over the next six years and to build a river flow measuring station within two years.

The ministry had already committed during the proceedings to undertake about $8 million in roadwork to improve the situation within six years.

In a project notice filed with the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks for the “Redevelopment of York Boulevard West in the Sunny Bank sector in Gaspé” last fall, the MTQ detailed each of the upcoming steps for the construction site.

The ministry is aiming, in particular, to replace the bridge currently characterized by an opening of 11 metres by a bridge with a 60-metre opening as well as to dig and widen a secondary arm of the York River over 200 metres long and 54 metres wide upstream of the planned bridge.

In addition, the road embankments will be widened over 300 metres where there is a hydric environment due to the road being raised by 0.5 metres, and the ditch will be reprofiled over 400 metres along the eastern side of the Sunny Bank Street intersection.

A 70-metre long ditch and the construction of a new six-metre wide culvert are also in the plans, along with the replacement of four other culverts.

In its notice, the MTQ also proposes three other solutions as part of the impact study. The first option is the complete removal of all road embankments and the relocation of the road four kilometres upstream in a less dynamic part of the York River.

The second option is the complete removal of all road embankments and the construction of a multi-span bridge.

The last scenario, which could have a considerable impact, involves expropriating all residents in the flood zone.

According to the preliminary project schedule, the environmental impact study, a BAPE review, and obtaining the environmental decree should be completed by the fall of 2027.
In the preliminary project schedule, the environmental impact study, a BAPE and the environmental decree should be completed by fall 2027, with the environmental impact study being the first milestone in the process.

The pre-project study, concomitant with the environmental impact assessment, is scheduled for completion in spring 2028. The final preliminary design study is expected to be completed by spring 2029.
This will be followed by plans and specifications to vacate the rights-of-way between spring 2029 and spring 2032, with final authorizations to be obtained in spring 2033. The tendering and awarding of the contract will take place in spring 2033 for construction slated for summer 2033 and fall 2034.
The Ministry is not ruling out the possibility of completing the project by 2035.

Between the judgment rendered in June 2022 and the final work schedule, at least 12 years will elapse.
The road, rebuilt in 1977 which connects the Sunny Bank and Wakeham sectors, slows the flow of the York River.

Previously, it was a road at water level and, during floods, the river would overflow onto the roadway.
Raised by 1.5 metres in 1952, it was noted that the road partially blocked the river’s flow.

In 1977, the road was raised by two metres, making water evaluation even more difficult. The 2010 flood was the straw that broke the camel’s back. From December 13 to 15, 2010, approximately 246 millimetres of rain fell on Gaspé. Residents filed their lawsuit in 2013 and the court authorized it in 2015. Since its reconstruction in 1977, floods have occurred in 1977, 1980, twice in 1981, 1983, 1997, 1998, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2017.

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Ile-aux-Tourtes: MTQ “shocked” at living nightmare for locals

Local Journalism Initiative / The Suburban / April 27, 2024 / Ile-aux-Tourtes bridge, MTQ, Sarah Bensadoun, traffic, Vaudreuil

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The Ile-aux-Tourtes bridge lane closures and intermittent full-closures are having devastating consequences on residents living in neighbouring communities. In an interview with the MTQ, spokeperson Sarah Bensadoun stated that she was “astonished” at the implication of The Suburban‘s questions on behalf of residents that were interviewed and stated that multiple public consultations took place beginning in 2015 until 2021 prior to the planned work. When asked why the MTQ did not start the work on the new bridge earlier to avoid the traffic-devastating effects on road users, Bensadoun again repeated that she was “shocked” at the question as the MTQ had conducted all the public consultations and that the construction was in their best interest.

When asked again, why the new bridge was not built before half of the existing bridge would need to be closed to traffic for repairs, Bensadoun said that the annual inspections prior to the more recent ones did not reveal that the bridge would be in such bad shape. The current situation with the existing bridge was not discussed in the public consultation meetings that Bensadoun kept referring to as she stated that the MTQ was unaware that the bridge was reaching its “end of life” prior to recent inspections. On the other hand, Bensadoun also stated that it is perfectly normal that the bridge would reach its end of life stage after 50 years.

According to members of local communities, it was obvious that the bridge was falling apart as it needed to be closed for repairs to the structure on dozens of occasions during the consultation period from 2015 to 2021 that Bensadoun kept referring to while speaking with The Suburban. “This is a symptom of a much larger malaise,” Chris from St Lazare said to The Suburban. “It is obvious that the bridge was falling apart long before they started the work.”

Steve and his wife, also from St-Lazare, say that they are missing out on time with their grandchildren. “We used to just drive over to Kirkland and around the West Island to spend time with them, to help out their parents or go to watch them participate at their activities. My kids used to come once a week and that has not been possible for months.”

Jessica from Rigaud suffered through hours of traffic while experiencing a high risk pregnancy. “My doctor was at the Lakeshore and I needed to get to my appointments a few times a week. I had to turn back home a few times because my body could not handle it.” Jessica said that after the baby was born and required medical attention on a regular basis, travelling was painful. “Can you imagine driving on that bridge with a newborn crying in the back seat?”

Athena from St-Lazare, representing a group of parents preparing to petition for access to the bus lane, says that students belonging to Anglophone public schools are often enrolled on-island as there is limited space for them off-island. “We are carpooling and doing the best we can. There are no bus services available to us and this is an issue that predominantly affects the Anglophone community with children attending public schools. There is no consideration given to circumstances affecting people living in the surrounding communities.”

Sophie, a single mom from Vaudreuil, says that the bridge situation has affected the custody agreement for her children. “From October to March, between the bridge and the bus strikes, it was difficult for them to come see me and spend time at my place.” Since the children’s father lives closer to their on-island Anglophone school, the kids remained primarily with their father, though they were supposed to have shared time with their mother.

Many residents also state the the signage is not clear enough from a distance where trucks passing through may not be aware ahead of time of the ever-changing situation. Susan from St-Lazare was injured in an accident on her way home from work in Pointe-Claire where her car was totaled after it was rear-ended by an 18-wheeler truck while her vehicle was at the end of the line in standstill traffic. “He came out of nowhere, crashed into me and propelled my car into the one in front of me. I leave for work now two hours early to avoid the traffic because this caused me so much anxiety. My hands are shaking just talking about it.”

Next week, The Suburban will be speaking with local community leaders and officials concerning the public consultations. Follow us at thesuburban.com or download our app for updates. n

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