Press release
Turcot Complex improvements: The Board of Trade
supports the decision to proceed immediately
Montréal, November 9, 2010 – The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal supports the decision of the Quebec Transport Minister, Mr. Sam Hamad, to immediately proceed with the reconstruction of the Turcot Complex. “We would have preferred a much quicker process. Nevertheless, the project revealed today recognizes the Turcot Interchange’s role as a nerve centre, and finally meets the business community’s main requests,” declared Mr. Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade.
“Overall, the new project has been greatly improved, since it takes into account the vast majority of the BAPE’s recommendations. And above all, the project will allow traffic capacity to be maintained while offering a reserved lane for public transit and taxis. According to the Minister’s plans, it will be safer, will limit expropriations, will be less noisy, and will allow for rail lines from the airport and the east-west axis,” added Michel Leblanc.
“The project will obviously have a significant economic impact on the city. With this investment of over $3 billion, close to 43,000 jobs will be created or maintained. Also, the large sum of money reserved for the beautification of the new infrastructure will allow improvements to be made to the surrounding neighbourhoods crossed by the interchange. In short, all Montrealers will benefit from this major investment,” explained Mr. Leblanc.
“Now that the project is ready, we must make sure that the initial work begins without delay. The business community also expects the government and the City to distinguish themselves with efficient mitigation and fluidity plans during the work process. We must bear in mind that 290,000 vehicles, including 30,000 trucks, use the Turcot Interchange on a daily basis. Any worksite negligence could have a devastating economic impact. In such a context, not only must the work be well planned, but the worksite tracking office must also remain alert so that corrective measures can be taken and, if necessary, it can step in if the work is not meeting the prescribed deadlines,” concluded Michel 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
Coordinator, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Phone: 514 871-4000, extension 4015
sylvie.paquette@ccmm.qc.ca