The scene on the streets outside our door this morning was one of traffic chaos. The kind that is usually reserved for downtown St. Catherine's street at rush hour. Suburban gridlock.
The din and confusion of cars and people is a result of a grievously illogical piece of city works planning. Our street is home to two, count 'em, two elementary level schools. What has caused the pandemonium was a decision to conduct infrastructure repairs on five area roads simultaneously, which included inexplicably digging up the end of our street where it connects to the main road.
We've lived in this area for only four years and in that time it has become very clear that our street is a vital link in our community. As mentioned, in addition to being a double school zone, it is also a designated route for emergency vehicles. With the roads closures, residents might have a hard time relying on ambulances or fire trucks arriving with any degree of expediency. This is an issue given that the population in the area is divided almost exclusively between seniors or families with young children.
For kids waiting for a bus, or being dropping-off at one of the two schools, the situation is downright dangerous. Heavy construction vehicles weave hazardously through the streets with seemingly little regard for pedestrians. The congestion of cars, vans and buses is not only causing frustration for drivers it is a high-risk scenario for the many small children making their way along the sidewalks at the start of the school day.
To add to the stress and frustration, we recently lost power in the neighbourhood because a backhoe operator carelessly struck a Hydro line. A week later we had to evacuate because of a gas leak, also a result of the construction.
It should be noted that the city had clearly been preparing for this work as early as last spring, when massive piles of crushed stone had been dumped in the area. So why wait until the start of the school year to begin such a major project?
As if this epic escapade of road demolition were not enough, the city also decided to replace the sidewalks on the main road that connects to our street. They must have realized that their efforts had not prevented people from getting to work or school on time, so they had to take it up a notch.
I'm all for economic stimulus and infrastructure projects to create jobs, but this is beyond absurdity. It's one thing dealing with the inconvenience of road repairs, it's another thing entirely when the safety of families is at risk. The decision to take on all of these projects simultaneously defies reason. No forethought, no contingency and absolutely no consideration of the residents. This is what government refers to as planning.
And this is only the municipal level, can you imagine what goes on in Quebec City and Ottawa?
It certainly explains Mirabel Airport and The Big Owe.
Typical.
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