Westminster Avenue crossing: Montreal West unveils pilot project to make intersection safer

The action comes after an order from the federal government.

An information session at Montreal West’s town hall was abounding with residents Thursday night, eager to hear more about a pilot project to improve safety at a level crossing on Westminster Avenue.

Mayor Beny Masella presented the proposed plan to the packed room, based on recommendations from a traffic study following a letter of non-compliance the town received from Transport Canada in 2023.

• READ MORE: A year after man struck and killed by train, Montreal West residents want better safety

The notice pointed out “irregularities” that needed to be corrected, the town affirmed, “notably vehicle queuing on the level crossing near the station.”

Additionally, the town acknowledged “instances of aggressive driving” and “ignorance of level crossing signs and markings.”

Notably, on April 4, 2024, a 71-year-old man died after being struck by a commuter train in the area.

Last November, a 14-year-old was hit by a vehicle while walking to school.

The area under study included Westminster Avenue between Avon Road and Milner Street, situated near the town hall, Royal West Academy and the Montreal West Exo station.

• READ MORE: Man, 71, struck by commuter train in Montreal West

The first part of the two-phase plan involves improving road markings, installing removable speed bumps and concrete barriers, and introducing temporary signage.

The second phase would implement permanent infrastructure based on the outcome of phase one.

The proposed changes include:

• Turning the southbound parking lane between Milner Avenue and Sherbrooke Street into a traffic lane at peak hours.
• Adding flower boxes to the east side of Westminster Avenue on the north side of Sherbrooke Street, as well as at the Broughton Road intersection (removing the stop sign), to create a two-metre pedestrian-traffic island.
• Prohibiting left turns from the eastern approach to the Sherbrooke Street intersection, as well as the eastern and northern approaches to the Broughton Road intersection. Concrete barriers will be installed to prevent this movement.
• Removing a lane in each direction between Sherbrooke Street and Broughton Road and adding speed bumps northbound.

Additionally, the project proposes removing a stop sign on the northern approach of Sherbrooke Street in favour of a flashing pedestrian crossing.

This suggestion received criticism from residents at the meeting, who pointed out that people don’t always respect the rules.

The mayor responded in the affirmative but said he would leave any decision-making to a traffic expert.

Residents also raised concerns about potential additional traffic headaches, as construction is still underway at some major arteries in the town.

• READ MORE: ‘The pedestrian needs to be visible’: students, residents call for safer roads in Montreal West

When asked about the lack of plans for a bike path, Masella noted that the town is focusing first on pedestrian safety, though he did not rule out the possibility in the future.

Residents also wondered why the study had not been made public, with some questioning the town’s transparency.

To that, the mayor responded that he was concerned people would misunderstand the recommendations, hence why he called for an information session.

Masella explained that the goal, following a call for tenders, was to implement the changes before the end of the year.

After a year, the town said it plans to assess the project’s success before committing to anything permanent.

• READ MORE: Montreal family wants safer roads after teen hit by car on his way to school

The project involves numerous stakeholders, including the town’s community safety committee (CSC), Royal West Academy, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), Montreal police (SPVM), the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) and Exo, WSP Canada Inc. and Transport Canada.

The Westminster level crossing, according to town officials, is one of the busiest crossings in North America, comprising a high volume of traffic, including pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles and three train lines.

With files from CTV News’ Angela MacKenzie.