The Bureau of Public Hearings on the Environment (BAPE) has published its investigation and targeted consultation report on the reconstruction project of the Gédéon-Ouimet Bridge, which spans the Mille-Îles River between Laval and Boisbriand, by the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility (MTMD) of Quebec.
This report was produced following a request made by Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife, and Parks, in June 2024.
This consultation “was specifically intended to address the issues surrounding the concerns and questions that were communicated to it, namely the noise climate during the future operational phase of the bridge,” the communiqué states.
It is worth noting that the current project proposal involves a new bridge slightly over one kilometer long, consisting of two independent structures each four meters wide. They would feature four lanes in each direction, including one lane reserved for public transport, as well as three-meter shoulders on each side. A multi-purpose path is also to be built on the southbound deck to promote active transportation.
The northbound deck would be constructed downstream of the existing bridge, while the southbound deck would be built at the site of the current bridge. The lifespan of this new bridge would be at least 75 years, with construction expected to span seven years.
Noise Level
“According to sound measurements taken in 2022 by the MTMD, residents living near the Gédéon-Ouimet Bridge are exposed to noise levels that can exceed 16 dBA above the 55 dBA threshold considered acceptable in sensitive areas according to its Road Noise Policy, and approximately 22 dBA above the 53 dBA threshold recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), beyond which health effects have been demonstrated,” the report’s highlights state.
In the context of increasing road traffic, where the average daily summer flow over the Gédéon-Ouimet Bridge would increase by just over 20% in 2028 and by about 33% in 2038 compared to 2019, the simulated noise levels for the horizon of 2038 could reach 70 dBA in Laval, 66 dBA on Morris Island, and 75 dBA in Boisbriand.
These noise levels correspond to a perception of three to six times stronger than the exposure threshold determined by the WHO, beyond which health effects are demonstrated.
Aside from a sound barrier planned to the east of the future Gédéon-Ouimet Bridge, no other mitigation measures that could reduce noise and preserve the health and quality of life of the communities near the future bridge are planned, despite the anticipation of high noise levels.
“The inquiry commission believes that given the projected high noise levels in the future Gédéon-Ouimet Bridge’s receiving environment, which would exceed all thresholds recommended by authorities concerning noise pollution, the initiator should apply the WHO-recommended noise exposure thresholds, namely 53 dBA [at all times] and 45 dBA [at night], to protect the health of residents near the future Gédéon-Ouimet Bridge from the effects of road noise, or, if impossible, those of its revised Road Noise Policy, which is 55 dBA L [at all times],” the report specifies.
It adds that “these criteria should also be used to establish corresponding mitigation measures, considering that noise levels are already high, the lifespan of the Gédéon-Ouimet Bridge is at least 75 years, and its reconstruction is a unique opportunity to improve the noise climate in sensitive areas near the future bridge.”
The inquiry commission concludes by stating that it believes the project initiator should examine all applicable mitigation measures that would improve the noise climate for communities near the future Gédéon-Ouimet Bridge, combining them as needed.
It should be noted that the inquiry commission, which held its mandate from July 15 to September 20, was composed of Antoine Morissette, president, and Mireille Paul, commissioner. (N.P.)
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