People living and working near the train tracks off Montpellier in the borough of St. Laurent now have a safe place to cross.
The borough and CN this morning officially inaugurated the new level crossing there.
Residents here say this level crossing makes it easier to get around without risking their lives and getting hit by a train. #CJAD pic.twitter.com/XVnhjoQGjJ
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) October 17, 2017
Borough mayor Alan DeSousa said they began talks with CN a few years ago and the work began earlier this year.
"This is an example where we can unlock and provide people better access safely without having people cut holes through fences, go through and run the risk of being hit by a train," DeSousa told CJAD 800 News. DeSousa said people frequently got hit with $175 tickets for trespassing.
.@AlanDeSousaFCA says CN showed good will and they were able to work together to come up with this level crossing. #CJAD pic.twitter.com/UZgPl8Vspf
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) October 17, 2017
The level crossing is part of the $1.2-million investment in the area that includes a bike path going over the tracks.
Deputy chief of CN police for North America Jocelyn Latulippe said before the level crossing, there were many people using the area as an illegal and dangerous shortcut.
"We had a lot of trespassers crossing the track into a non-authorized location which is illegal but it's also really unsafe because it's almost impossible to really calculate the speed of the train so a lot of people were trying to beat the train," said Latulippe.
Borough mayor @AlanDeSousaFCA & deputy chief CN police Jocelyn Latulippe say pre-level crossing, was an illegal, dangerous short cut. #CJAD pic.twitter.com/5rFIGJgSXj
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) October 17, 2017
Montreal executive committee member responsible for transport Aref Salem said while they've had success with CN in this project, thye've had less success with CP in five other locations on the island.
"It's a matter of good will," Salem told CJAD 800 News.
Salem said they're expecting a decision from the Canadian Transport Agency in the next couple of months about the issue.
The city wants CP to give it access to five sites so it can finish reports needed to proceed with level crossings in those areas.
In an open letter published in newspapers last summer, CP had said it was committed to working with the city to install new grade-separated crossings but insisted that level crossings would put pedestrian safety at risk.
St. Laurent borough, CN inaugurate level crossing at tracks near Montpellier. Talks began few years ago, work started earlier this yr. #CJAD pic.twitter.com/oDdksSNAHT
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) October 17, 2017