Martin C. Barry
With Quebecers preparing to go to the polls on October 1, the province’s Liberal government announced a potential enticement for Laval-area voters with the release of preliminary details for the long-awaited Autoroute 19 extension project.
Nobody likes traffic
The announcement, which was made by Premier Philippe Couillard with Laval’s six Liberal MNAs on hand as well as Laval mayor Marc Demers and several members of city council, took place from a small green space in northern Laval near the spot where Route 335 (the future A-19) juts out across the Rivière des Mille Îles to the North Shore and Bois-des-Filion.
“Morning and evening, going to work or while returning, Quebecers don’t want to be caught up in traffic,” said Premier Couillard. “They don’t want to spend interminable hours on the road instead of spending quality time at home. I know this and our team also knows it. Road congestion is harmful to the quality of life, it costs a lot and is an obstacle to progress.
Improving traffic flow
“The project for urban autoroute 19 as presented today fits perfectly in with our ambitious and modern vision for a new Quebec,” he added. “It is a unified vision that places mobility and the quality of life of citizens, the success of businesses and the conservation of the living environment at the heart of our preoccupations and actions.”
“With its reserved lane for buses, electric vehicles and car pooling, the extension of the A-19 will help improve traffic flow, which is a major issue for the regions north of Montreal,” said Transport Minister André Fortin. “This solution is part of the vision in our sustainable mobility policy recently announced, and it answers to the needs of users who wish to reduce the time they spend getting around while improving the quality of their lives.”
Making life better
“Today’s announcement demonstrates the willingness of our government to launch the final phase for the extension of the A-19,” said Mille-Îles Liberal MNA Francine Charbonneau, who is Minister Responsible for the Laval Region in the Liberal cabinet. “I can only rejoice at this great news that will allow in the future for the improvement of the quality of life of all the citizens on the North Shore. Being able to count on an efficient transportation network will come to support the local economy and the province’s economy at the same time.”
When the work does start it will involve construction of a new three-lane roadbed along the present highway, including a reserved lane for buses, electric vehicles and car pooling. There will also be four new interchanges and an existing interchange will be reconstructed.
Details of the project
As well, a twin span will be added to the Athanase David Bridge over the Rivière des Mille Îles, new commuter parking and a terminus will be created, and anti-noise barriers will be constructed along the sides of certain sections of the A-19 extension which will run from Saint-Martin Blvd. East in Laval northward across the river to Industriel Blvd. in Bois-des-Filion.
According to a press release issued by the provincial government, land survey work for the project was conducted in March. Beginning this spring, geological surveying and soil analysis tests were done in preparation for beginning work. A call for tenders is expected to be launched soon for the preparation of plans and architectural sketches. Preparations for the actual start of construction are expected to continue into 2019.
