By Joel Ceausu
The long-debated Terrebonne redevelopment was approved by borough council in CDN-NDG, voting 3-2 to proceed. The $250,000 plan, paid for by the centre city, would install a 2.5-kilometer two-way path on Terrebonne, and turn the road into two-one way streets, heading west from Cavendish to Belmore and east from Cavendish to Girouard.
The borough will install bike lanes on both sides of the road; protected by bollards on the north side eliminating some 200 parking spaces and a lane on the south side protected by a buffer zone and the remaining parking lane.
The plan has divided the community and continues to do so, after opponents of the plan gathered more than 1,100 signatures on paper and electronic petitions demanding real consultation of affected residents. They cite numerous faults with the borough’s technical study, i.e., that observation was made on only a fraction of weekly traffic hours and not in winter, and that citizens were not consulted.
The administration, along with local cycling advocates, have long insisted that cyclists do not feel safe on Terrebonne, which has them sharing the roadway with vehicles with nothing other than some street markings indicating a bike route. The borough insists that installing a lane on Terrebonne will help more citizens adapt to active transit, protect vulnerable citizens — including many children attending schools in the area — and help fight climate change.
Borough documents also note the bike path will have a major impact on vehicle routes in the area, particularly the one-way redesigns, and suggests the plan is necessary to enforce existing laws: “The installation allows reinforcement of parking bans within five metres of intersections, in order to improve visibility” in addition to the number of parking spaces removed.
At council, Borough Mayor Gracia Kasoki Katahwa said the plan is not necessarily finalized, repeating what she told a crowd at Benny Library in December: “Even if we vote tonight there is still some time to make adjustments to this project” and noted there are several possible adjustments being considered. She added that here have been several discussions with the EMSB and Mackay school in particular and more discussions will be held to explore solutions for some particular challenges. “I know that change is scary,” she told the packed room, “but I’m listening to you and we’re going to do it together. The status quo,” she added, “is unbearable.”
Resident Nora Kelly, a member of the Residents against Terrebonne 2.0 group, stated before the meeting that “many people can’t believe that the Projet Montreal administration of the borough has brought back the bike path after it was removed in the summer of 2020 following a serious public outcry,” she said. “So many people have signed the petition and the anger is palpable. They are upset that there has been no consultation. They want the bike path plan cancelled immediately.”
Snowdon councillor Sonny Moroz, who along with Darlington councillor Stephanie Valenzuela voted against the plan, deplored the dismissal of recommendations from the original working committee on Terrebonne.
The work, consisting mostly of street marking and signage, will be completed in June. n