Montreal West residents demand release of traffic study for level crossing safety plan
A citizens' group in the Town of Montreal West is calling for more transparency from officials regarding plans to improve safety at a level crossing on Westminster Avenue.
The group said it does not support the proposed plan and is urging the immediate release of the traffic study before the pilot project is implemented.
Additionally, it said it is also concerned about the town council's apparent lack of consultation, claiming the proposed plan had a 'car-centred design.'
'The proposed plan removes pedestrian stops, signs at already dangerous intersections and excludes bike infrastructure entirely,' Citizens for Safe Transit (CFST) said in a press release.
The town presented the pilot project during an information session last month based on recommendations from a traffic study completed after Montreal West received a letter of non-compliance from Transport Canada in 2023.
The group also criticized what it called a 'lack of oversight' following the pilot phase, saying there was no plan for evaluation or adjustments.
'These shortcomings suggest that the proposal's primary objective is to resolve the specific issue of vehicles queuing on the tracks — rather than to address the broader safety and mobility needs of all users,' it said.
The CFST added that while addressing vehicles queuing on the train tracks is vital, it should not come at the expense of vulnerable road users.
'Especially children, seniors, and cyclists — nor without full public disclosure and community input,' it said.
Several fatalities have occurred at the Westminster Avenue crossing in recent years.
In April 2024, a 71-year-old man died after being struck by a commuter train in the area.
In November 2024, a 14-year-old boy was hit by a vehicle while walking to school.
During the June meeting, some residents questioned why the traffic study had not been made public and criticized parts of the two-phase plan, which includes improved road markings, removable speed bumps, concrete barriers and temporary signage.
Mayor Beny Masella said at the time that he was concerned the recommendations would be misunderstood.
He added that following a call for tenders, the plan was to implement the changes before the end of the year.
With files from CTV News' Rachel Lau.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
28 minutes ago
- CBC
Police watchdog called in after man injured during Victoria arrest
British Columbia's police watchdog has been called in after a man was injured during an arrest in downtown Victoria. The Victoria Police Department responded to a 911 call about a man with a weapon near Douglas Street and Pandora Avenue at around 3:45 p.m., the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) said in a statement. Police, including members of the Emergency Response Team, arrived and located the man in possession of what appeared to be a weapon, according to the statement. The Victoria Police said patrol officers attempted to arrest the man, deploying a "less-lethal round" during the encounter. "The suspect was taken into custody and there is no active threat to public safety. The investigation is ongoing," the police said in a social media post on Friday. The IIO said the man suffered an injury while being arrested and was taken to hospital for treatment. The watchdog is looking for witnesses.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
‘Concerned citizen' discovers $80K worth of cocaine in the road in Abbotsford, B.C.
The 1 kilogram brick of cocaine had an estimated cost of $80,000, according to the Abbotsford Police Department. (Courtesy: AbbyPD) An estimated $80,000 worth of drugs has been seized in Abbotsford, B.C., after being found in the road by an unsuspecting citizen. According to a brief statement by the Abbotsford Police Department Saturday morning, the drugs were stumbled upon June 15. The 'concerned citizen' discovered 'what appeared to be drugs' lying in the middle of Bradner Road, near Myrtle Avenue, and reported it to the police, the statement said. 'AbbyPD patrol officers responded and seized a brick of cocaine weighing approximately 1 kilogram,' the statement said, adding that the estimated street value of the seizure was $80,000. The incident served as a reminder that 'no day is routine' for police teams, the statement concluded. 'We thank the community for their continued support in helping keep Abbotsford safe.' When asked for more details, the Abbotsford Police Department told CTV News it was unable to offer any further information on the incident.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Three months later, little information on missing N.S. children
Jack and Lilly Sullivan, who were reported missing from their home in Nova Scotia's Pictou County on May 2, 2025, are pictured. Saturday marks three months since Lilly Sullivan, 6, and Jack Sullivan, 4, disappeared from their home in Lansdowne Station, N.S. RCMP says there are no new updates on the case as they declined an interview request with CTV News on Friday – and declined to answer any questions via email. The force referred CTV News to its July 16 news release, which said about 5,000 video files were being reviewed, more than 600 public tips were being assessed and at least 60 people have been interviewed – some undergoing a polygraph test. RCMP also said officers were 'submitting judicial authorizations to seize and examine materials and devices that may provide information useful to the investigation.' 'That tells me in itself that they suspect that there's a crime involved,' says CTV News Public Safety Analyst Chris Lewis. 'They must have some grounds to believe that it's a crime, other than just the fact that they've never been able to find them any other way.' The children's mother and stepfather told police they last saw Lilly inside the home and could hear Jack that morning. It is believed the siblings may have wandered into the woods, but there has been no sign of them since they were reported missing. Police previously confirmed Lilly and Jack were with family members the afternoon of May 1. 'A police service never gives up on a case like this,' says Lewis, the former commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police. 'It may get a little colder, with no new leads or nothing more to follow up. But over time, you take another look at it. You balance it all out in terms of the latest technology and forensics, and you get fresh eyes looking at it. 'That's never going to end,' he says. During a video news conference on July 16, Cpl. Carlie McCann told reporters that a pink blanket was located and seized the day the children were reported missing. 'It was outside and found near Lilly and Jack's home. The family has confirmed that the blanket belonged to Lilly,' said McCann. 'Police are investigating if and how it relates to her and her brother's disappearance.' Lilly and Jack Sullivan Lilly Sullivan, 6, and Jack Sullivan, 4, are pictured. The siblings were reported missing from Lansdowne Station, N.S., on May 2, 2025. (Nova Scotia Department of Justice) When asked by a reporter what police believe happened to the children, McCann would only say 'police are investigating every aspect of this.' 'We're receiving a number of tips from the public and we're following up on all of those tips,' she added. Meanwhile, Lewis says it could be a missed opportunity when police declined to comment on the three-month anniversary of the children's disappearance. 'I find that rather odd that they wouldn't put someone before the camera to at least help bring some attention to it from a public perspective,' he tells CTV News. 'But then again, we don't know what else they have going on in terms of their ability to get somebody before a camera.' -With files from CTV's Andrea Jerrett For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
