Press Release
The Board of Trade welcomes concrete efforts to
improve traffic flow in Montréal
Montréal, August 19, 2011 – The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montréal is delighted at the leadership shown by the Premier of Québec, Mr. Jean Charest, the Mayor of Montréal, Mr. Gérald Tremblay, and Québec Transport Minister, Mr. Sam Hamad, on the matter of transportation infrastructure repairs and traffic problems in Montréal.
Yesterday, the Board of Trade was in attendance at the Committee of planning and coordinating roadworks that affect the mobility of persons and goods in Montréal, chaired by the Premier of Québec. “The Premier’s full involvement in this matter shows that the issue of congestion on roads in the Montréal metropolitan region is finally getting the attention it requires. The Government of Québec and the City of Montréal now seem determined to take the necessary measures. The work started a few weeks ago by the members of the Committee, of which the Board of Trade is a part, responds directly to its goal, which was to properly plan, coordinate, and communicate future procedures carried out on our road network,” stated Mr. Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade.
This morning, the Mayor of Montréal announced the postponement of several construction projects and the synchronization of traffic lights, and pledged to provide citizens with improved information and increased public transit in order to facilitate the back-to-school period. “The increase in construction and other procedures on our road network threatened to worsen gridlock in Montréal. The measures announced by the Mayor send encouraging signals. They demonstrate that the City intends to guarantee better traffic flow and to maintain access to downtown,” added Mr. Leblanc.
Finally, this afternoon, the Transport Minister announced the reopening of a third lane on the Mercier Bridge in September, and stated that trucks will be able to use the bridge. He also indicated that the Champlain Bridge’s ice bridge would be open to traffic in mid-September, and that new commuter train departures would be added. “These measures were absolutely necessary at a time during which the volume of traffic between Montréal and the South Shore will increase considerably during the back-to-school period,” mentioned Mr. Leblanc.
“At the request of the business community, the Board of Trade will keep a very close watch on the question of traffic congestion. At the present time, the road network and increased public transit are two major concerns for the business community,” concluded Mr. Leblanc.
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of some 7,000 members. Its mission is to represent the interests of the business community of Greater Montréal and to provide individuals, merchants, and local businesses of all sizes with a variety of specialized services to help them achieve their full potential in terms of innovation, productivity and competitiveness. The Board of Trade is Quebec's leading private economic development organization.
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Source:
Sylvie Paquette
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
514 871-4000, ext. 4015
sylvie.paquette@ccmm.qc.ca