11 October 2007
Terminal Plan Should Consider Environment
Montreal Quebec - Regarding the proposed Canadian Pacific
Railway Intermodal Terminal ("Consultation meeting on CP terminal plan," Gazette, 4 Oct 2007):
Although the adjacent Canadian Tire distribution centre is not intimately linked with the CPR project in Les Cedres, Canadian Tire
ships domestic containers and trailers on CP trains. As Canadian Tire decided to build its new terminal in Coteau du Lac's Alta
Industrial Park, CPR logically followed suit.
The transcontinental container trains out of Lachine IMS Terminal not only carry Canadian Tire goods, but also merchandise from The
Bay/Zellers, Sears, and others.
Both the train service and the domestic and the west coast maritime shipping container services would be switched over to the new yard
(which currently has eight daily departures/arrivals).
It wouldn't be surprising to see Sears Canada or Hudson's Bay wanting to set up shop in the Soulanges area, as well.
The construction of Highway 30 as a circumferential bypass was probably a crucial factor in CP's decision. Canadian Pacific Railway has
supported Highway 30 as a more direct route to Eastern Canada.
This highway will not only provide the impetus for the further destruction of hectare upon hectare of natural space in the most fertile
area of Quebec, it has the potential to undermine economic activity on Montreal Island. The promise of congestion relief will be
temporary, at best. Also, very little has been said of the potential of a South Shore circumferential railway to relieve highway
traffic. As for the project itself, the Quebec Liberals and the ADQ seem intent to favour economic activity over the environment. The
Green Coalition is all in favour of more freight on railways and less trucks on highways: Trains are more energy efficient for
the long haul and leave less of an ecological footprint.
However, should CP succeed in getting permission to build its terminal, several issues, such as environmental protection, must be
resolved.
Avrom Shtern - Green Coalition, Transportation Issues
A public consultation on the proposal to rezone farmland in Les Cedres to make way for a Canadian Pacific Intermodel terminal will take
place Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Base de plein air les Forestiers, 1677 St. Dominique St. in Les Cedres.
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