The massive Turcot interchange construction site is a little less noisy these days, thanks to a Transport Quebec pilot project.
Many locals, particularly those living near the construction zone in St. Henri, have long complained about the piercing noises emitted from trucks backing up. Many have complained that they're being kept up at night while the work goes on.
Now, Transport Quebec is in the process of installing devices on trucks which will emit a whooshing sound when they back up, instead of the familiar, and much louder, beeping noise.
Sarah Bensadoun with Transport Quebec says about 20 of the trucks on the site are now equipped with the devices — and they're making a difference.
"Right now, we have a white noise, so it has the same type of impact for the worker on site," Bensadoun says, "but in terms of noise for the residents in the area, it's completely different, and we've seen a difference in terms of complaints and comments we've had from residents.
The pilot project also has the endorsement of the CNESST, the province's workplace health and safety board.
City councillor Craig Sauvé, Projet Montreal's transportation critic who represents a portion of the affected area in St. Henri, says the project is a good step forward — addressing citizen complaints without compromising the safety of workers on the site.
"It will make a difference," he says. "And I think that all the pressure that citizens have been putting, and the borough has been putting on [construction firm] KPH Turcot...it's really bearing fruit."
He says he plans on keeping the pressure, not just for noise, but for the dust the comes from the site, citing the quality of life of locals. And he also suggests the idea of equipping construction trucks with softer backup alarms could catch on in other parts of town.