Saint-Laurent Further Increases Mobility Safety on its Territory

SAINT-LAURENT, QC, Sept. 12, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - As the school year begins with several fatal accidents involving pedestrians or public transit users, Saint-Laurent's Administration wishes to express its sympathy and concern to the families and other people involved. It also wishes to reassure the population that it is actively collaborating with all the organizations in the field to increase safety for everyone coming and going on its territory.

"These tragedies are hitting us very hard. The safety aspect is a key component of all the projects we develop, because Saint-Laurent residents' safety is a major and ever-ongoing concern for us," stated Saint-Laurent's Mayor Alan DeSousa. "We are currently working on a pedestrian master plan to improve pedestrian mobility, especially around train stations, metro stations, schools, parks and new urban developments. At the same time, in our collaborative efforts with the CDPQ on Montréal's electric transit network, we are placing particular emphasis on the safe development of future new train stations on Saint-Laurent territory."

Among the latest initiatives taken by the Borough in this respect, we wish to mention, as a reminder, the Montpellier crossing facilities set up on CN tracks in October 2017, with a crossing gate, flashing lights and audible alarms. The objective was to allow pedestrians and cyclists in this densely populated area, which is also frequented by the many workers of the Société de transport de Montréal (STM)'s new Stinson garage, to safely cross the section of the railway track located in the Montpellier and Hodge-Place Benoit sectors.

The Borough is also working in close cooperation with exo and is emphasizing its safety-related actions in the area surrounding railway tracks, especially during this back-to-school time:

• Since August 13, inspectors' presence on the platforms has been increased in order to raise awareness among new and regular rail transit users of the proper habits to adopt near railway tracks.
• Crossing guards have been posted at each connection between platforms, for better control of pedestrian traffic and direct actions to change habits, avoid unnecessary distractions and thereby increase caution and care around railway tracks.
• Visits have been made to the schools in the area surrounding the railway tracks on Saint-Laurent territory, to raise awareness when near a railway.
• Over the next few weeks, exo will also be installing lighted signs at the connections between platforms at the Bois-Franc, Roxboro-Pierrefonds et Du Ruisseau train stations, to remind users to be careful and look on both sides of the railway track before crossing.

"In cooperation with the organizations concerned, Saint-Laurent aims to provide a mobility-friendly quality of life in this way, as well as a safe urban environment that is conducive to walking and beneficial to health. That being said, transportation safety will always remain a collective responsibility in which users play a major role," added Mayor DeSousa. "It is of the utmost importance that everyone obey the safety rules and the Highway Code, while being careful and cautious at all times."

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Arrondissement de Saint-Laurent