The recent announcement of the Quebec government to study the construction of a Metropolitan Express Network (REM) between Châteauguay and Boucherville leaves no one indifferent. Several players on the local scene are mobilizing to denounce the government’s way of doing things while questioning the real need for such a project given the low traffic, but also the bill that will inevitably result.
On the regional scene, the mayors of the MRC du Roussillon, in the Candiac-Chateauguay sector, said they were happy with the announcement of the study of this project which would bring a fast and structuring mode of transport to their region. “What great news,” said the prefect of the MRC, Christian Ouellette. Same remark for the mayoress of Sainte-Julie, Suzanne Roy, who wants it to be extended along the axis of highway 30, to go to the A-20 / A-30 interchange and even to Sainte-Julie.
On social networks, dozens of citizens openly spoke out mostly against such a project, but several others said they welcomed the arrival of an REM in Boucherville with enthusiasm.
Here are some comments from residents of Boucherville:
– “Many employees will remain teleworking after the pandemic, we must think about that before carrying out this type of project. Is it really necessary? “
– “We came to settle in Boucherville for its good quality of life and above all for its tranquility. Please, refuse this project which is absolutely not necessary with us in our Belle Boucherville. “
– “Boucherville will become the Brossard of the“ ’30’ ‘East. What a silly idea! People are complaining about fifty houses growing… and the din and the blasting. Imagine a REM station in Boucherville, and all the construction projects that this project will bring. “
– “I am not in favor of this project in order to preserve the tranquility of Boucherville. The buses do the job very well. I travel by bus myself. “
– “Provided that the chosen route is not on the edge of the river, which is already very mortgaged with the elevated cycle path along Route 132. The best option would be along Highway 30.”
– “As long as the commercial trains are crowded along the 30, why not pass the REM instead of the current trains?” The path is already marked out and in addition, it is close to people who will easily be able to access it. “
– “I understand that we do not want to densify neighborhoods and replace houses with towers, but not to deprive us of the only public transport project allowing us to move efficiently on the South Shore. “
– “I believe that we cannot stop collective progress and plan for future transport needs, as governments do for metropolitan regions around the world!
On the other hand, what I particularly deplore is the “bulldozer” model of the REM by the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, following the adoption of the Quebec expropriation law voted in their favor!
Why not measure social accessibility via a population survey? “
Petition
Finally, a citizen of Boucherville, Léo Parisi, asks, since last Tuesday, people interested in the file to demand a referendum on the subject, by signing a petition, because he believes that it does not matter whether we are for or against, keeping such a register would allow the entire population to have a say.
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