Bike Path Added to St-Jean Overpass, But Mayor Warns Safety Concerns Persist
A provincial plan to reconstruct the St-Jean Boulevard overpass near the future Fairview-Pointe-Claire REM station will include a new bike path, but Pointe-Claire Mayor John Belvedere says the project falls short of ensuring safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Limited Space and Safety Measures
In a recent phone interview with The Gazette, Mayor Belvedere expressed skepticism about the safety improvements. "Is it going to be more secure? To be honest with you, no way," he stated. The bike path will be installed on the west side of the overpass, sharing space with southbound car lanes, but will only be separated by painted lines rather than concrete barriers or medians.
Cyclists will then use the existing pedestrian crosswalk to cross the ramp toward Highway 40's service road. "When you cross the service road, you will still be protected just by a crosswalk. And I think every time you take that crosswalk, you're putting your life in your hands," Belvedere emphasized.
Project Details and Costs
Transports Québec spokesperson Sarah Bensadoun confirmed in an emailed statement that the transport department is preparing to repair and reinforce the St-Jean Blvd. overpass at Highway 40. This is a shared project with the City of Pointe-Claire, which handles the road surface while the province manages the structure.
Belvedere noted that Pointe-Claire's portion of the project is expected to cost approximately $10 million, covering resurfacing, improved lighting, and other measures. Bensadoun did not provide an estimate for the overall project cost.
Future Traffic and Funding Challenges
Currently, few people use the overpass on foot or by bike, but Belvedere anticipates increased non-motorized traffic once the REM opens. The REM's Anse-à-l'Orme branch, expected to launch this spring, includes four stations running parallel to Highway 40 in the West Island, with Fairview and Des Sources stations located in Pointe-Claire.
Belvedere revealed that the city received federal funding around 2019 for major overpass improvements, but costs escalated beyond what the city could afford. He still hopes for a protected cycling and pedestrian lane with an elevated ramp to cross the service road, completely separated from car traffic. However, such a project is too expensive for the city alone, so he is seeking contributions from neighbouring municipalities and Cadillac Fairview, which owns Fairview Mall.
Additional Overpass Projects
Bensadoun mentioned that the province is also planning to rehabilitate the Sources and St-Charles Blvds overpasses, incorporating bike paths at the request of Pointe-Claire, Kirkland, and Dorval. A fourth overpass at Chemin Ste-Marie in Kirkland already has a partial bike path.
The transport ministry is currently drafting an opportunity study for the Chemin Ste-Marie overpass project. Kirkland Mayor Michel Gibson hopes to meet with the transport department soon to discuss significant improvements, potentially including added car capacity and an enlarged bike path.
Despite the new bike path, Belvedere remains concerned about safety. "We need a protected overpass that is completely secure and separate from car traffic," he insisted. "There is just no secure way to do that now, and they have no plans to do it."
