25 October 2007
Transport Plan Rattles Residents
Les Cedres Quebec - Off-island residents voiced
their opinions last week about a proposed Canadian Pacific large-scale transportation project that could bring as many as
900 more trucks to the region each day by 2010 or 2011.
More than 75 residents had some hard questions for officials representing the region, as well as CP personnel last Tuesday during an
MRC Vaudreuil Soulanges meeting on various zoning changes for the Les Cedres Intermodal Complex. Paramount in residents' minds was the
potential impact the mega complex could have on such things as quality of life and air and water pollution.
The complex will be used for transferring, handling, and storing goods. It will include an intermodal terminal for handling containers
and distribution centres. Trains and trucks will be used to transport goods, and it will run 24 hours a day.
If CP gets all necessary provincial and federal approval, the complex could be built in the next few years on 300 hectares of Les
Cedres land bordering Highways 20 and 40, much of which is a former industrial site.
CP, which has been holding public consultations during the past year, says the complex is essential to operations because its Lachine
facility is operating at full capacity and cannot expand. People living in affected areas addressed their concerns at a Les Cedres
nature centre, where the meeting was held.
Chantal Roger of St. Lazare said her daily routine is already disturbed by the number of trains that run near her home each day.
"There are 32 trains and 128 whistle blasts," she noted.
"Can you imagine in 20 years having that huge project in the centre of a growing city?" asked Simon Daoust, referring to
Statistics Canada numbers identifying St. Lazare and Vaudreuil-Dorion in particular as two of the 10 fastest-growing
municipalities in Canada.
The St. Lazare resident said he supports the idea of the complex, but feels it will affect the region. "The project is a good one
from a commercial aspect, but not for the residents," he said.
Tracy Robinson said she knew of the proposed complex when she moved to her St. Lazare home, located near the railway tracks, a few
months ago. She was not prepared, however, for how strongly some trains rattle her house.
"We had to put felt pads on our dresser drawers so they wouldn't shake and wake us up at night," Robinson said. "If you
have a large load and the train is going fast, you're going to feel it."
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