According to a study by the City of Montreal, the works at the Ray-Mont Logistiques site in Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, despite causing dissatisfaction among residents of the sector, do not cause as much nuisance.
Noise and light pollution in Assomption Sud-Longue-Pointe would be more concerning than air pollution and vibration nuisance, according to a report prepared for the city by SNC-Lavalin.
This sector was chosen because an intermodal logistics platform for Ray-Mont Logistiques is being built here.
This project is causing controversy in the neighborhood. Residents complain that such a commercial area endangers their health due to increased noise and dust. This port expansion is at the expense of green spaces, which are becoming increasingly rare in the metropolis.
According to the study, last summer’s noise levels ranged from acceptable to noisy, depending on where you are in the area. Thus, traffic on Notre-Dame-Strasse would make “the main contribution” to the background noise.
“By leaving this road and entering residential areas, the nuisance decreases significantly,” the report reads.
Inappropriate use of artificial lighting from some commercial and industrial buildings was also noted in the neighborhood. As a result, many residents could be bothered by disturbing light on their property and suffer from glare on the streets.
Dust and vibration are no problem
The arrival of construction sites can often cause dust in their surroundings. During last summer’s analysis, there were occasional breaches of standards, but these are not considered to be of concern.
“The potential sources contributing to dust-related nuisance are those associated with ongoing projects and lanes,” he nonetheless specified.
According to the annual report from the city’s environmental agency, air quality in the district is generally good. The number of days with “clean air” is higher at Hochelaga-Maisonneuve station than anywhere else in the metropolis.
In the case of vibration, the perception threshold is “rarely exceeded” except when a truck or train passes through.
A starting point
These results serve as a starting point for monitoring the environmental impacts that could be caused by the development of industrial activities, including Ray-Mont Logistiques.
“Although the report shows that the portrait is generally acceptable, we have already identified measures that need to be taken to mitigate these nuisances and ensure their follow-up,” said the commune’s mayor, Pierre Lessard-Blais.
His administration intends to create a guide to help residents direct their grievances to an appropriate body.
The county is also working to amend its noise ordinance to bring it in line with provincial standards. It will be presented to the municipal council on March 6th.
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