10 – The Beaconsfield pollution and public health problem

The origin of the problem in Beaconsfield

Almost all residences in Beaconsfield were built as of 1986. The citizens of a peaceful neighborhood along a boulevard (see the photo in the header and below) did not ask for the transformation into a highway. They are not responsible for it.

Even the mayor recognizes the pollution problem. However, no measures to reduce noise or air pollution have been implemented.

Nearly a third of the citizens of Beaconsfield suffer daily the harmful effects on their health for more than 32 years.

Beaconsfield is a suburb on the main island of Montreal. At least 850 homes were built along the south side of the “Toronto-Montreal Boulevard” and the railroad tracks before the late 1970s.

The 20 (left) and Beaurepaire (right) towards Sweetbriar (1987)

From 1985, this boulevard was transferred to the Ministère des Transports (MTQ) for the purpose of making it a highway. The traffic lights are gone, replaced by underground passages. The speed increased from 70 to 100 km / h.

The following diagram shows that most houses in Beaconsfield were built BEFORE 1986.

Note that most houses were built BEFORE 1986 in Beaconsfield

A few more residences were added after 1986. Citizens of a peaceful neighborhood along a boulevard now face a highway. They did not ask for this situation. They are not responsible for it. But they have suffered the harmful effects daily for more than 32 years.

No noise or air pollution mitigation measures have been implemented. Several Beaconsfield citizens suffer in silence.

It is really time to act.

Even the mayor of Beaconsfield publicly acknowledges (P.3) that there is a public health problem along the highway 20. But he refuses to act because of the costs.