Why can’t Île-Bizard drivers get there from here?
The saying “You can’t get there from here,” is no laughing matter for Carole Messier and Alain Bourget.
Lifelong West Islanders, the couple moved to Île-Bizard at the end of 2013. They very soon found themselves frustrated with the fact that when leaving the island via the Jacques-Bizard Bridge they are not allowed to drive south down Jacques-Bizard Blvd. once they reach Pierrefonds Blvd.
Traffic signs posted overhead in the southbound lanes of Jacques-Bizard Blvd. at Pierrefonds Blvd. force all motorists to either turn east or west onto Pierrefonds Blvd., where, if you are ultimately heading south, forces you to use the congested arteries of St-Jean or St-Charles Blvds. But why should Messier and Bourget be forced to drive out of their way to use already congested arteries when there is a perfectly good street right in front of them, ready to take them where they want to go?
“It’s like Jacques-Bizard is reserved for the residents of Pierrefonds only,” said Messier.
It’s an observation that holds merit, because you can turn south on Jacques-Bizard Blvd. from Pierrefonds Blvd. You can even head south on Jacques-Bizard from every other cross street that intersects it along its entire length. You just can’t continue south on it if you are coming from the Île-Bizard.
They want that changed. So they started asking questions. What would it take to have the signs changed to allow them to drive south on Jacques-Bizard?
They first met with their borough mayor, Normand Marinacci. He said the forced turn actually occurs in Pierrefonds-Roxboro and, therefore, is controlled by that borough.
So they attempted to get an answer from Pierrefonds-Roxboro officials.
But that turned into a bit of a dead-end. With no response, they decided to go straight to the City of Montreal. But they are still waiting for an answer.
“To be clear, all we are asking (for is) the same convenience and right to access Jacques-Bizard Blvd. as the people (who access) it from Pierrefonds Blvd. Changing signage off the bridge is a quick fix.”
If they could head down Jacques-Bizard to De Salaberry Blvd., they could then head to Fairview without any traffic.
With so much congestion on the West Island’s north-south arteries, it’s a reasonable request.