Gilles Baril, engineer and borough director, explains how an evaluation is conducted.
Verdun infrastructure repairs underway
Signs announcing impending roadwork have been posted all over the borough since early September. They may temporarily make the lives of drivers and pedestrians a little more difficult, but it’s all part of a vast program to repair Verdun’s infrastructure before it deteriorates further.
For Verdun mayor, Claude Trudel, the goal is “to improve the quality of life for residents and the local network constitutes one of the most important local services.� According to mayor Trudel, most of the work planned for the fall will last from eight days to five weeks for two of the most important roads.
“Residents are sometimes surprised when they see us repairing sidewalks on streets that are clearly in a bad state�, explains André Savard, borough councillor and president of the commission on public works and traffic. “In actuality, the borough follows a priority order after a very sophisticated technical evaluation for all roads. Regarding sidewalks, there is an evaluation system in place, rating as 5 the ones in the worst condition, to 1 for the best,� stated Gilles Baril, borough director.
A race against the clock with winter coming
Among the work to take place or currently taking place, are sections of the sidewalk on Bannantyne Street between Rielle Street and 6th Avenue, similar repairs on Joseph Street between Strathmore and Henri-Duhamel, repairs to the road and replacements to the asphalt sidewalk with a concrete sidewalk on parts of Melrose Street, major work on Godin Street between Monteith and Beurling, repairs to the road, sidewalk and replacement of aqueduct and sewer networks and major work on rue de Verdun between Regina and Strathmore. This year alone, $3.9 million (and not $1.6 million like last year) was invested for overall work, part of a three-year program. In total, $12 million has been allocated to the three-year plan, which includes the purchase of material, maintenance and work to municipal buildings.
State of the art technology
Now, more than ever, Verdun is in a position to accurately rate the state of its streets, thanks to a scanner that a private firm uses to assess the roads and the soil underneath. Engineer and borough director, Gilles Baril, explained that Verdun conducts this type of exercise every five years, allowing the borough to establish its priorities. In Verdun, the subsoil is composed of clay which expands with water and contracts when frozen, resulting in eventual damages to the roadwork. Gilles Baril spoke of a design in the construction of the streets that would add subterranean pipes to gather the surface water and improve drainage. Despite the inconveniences, mayor Trudel and engineer Baril are convinced that Verdun’s streets are in better condition than most Montreal boroughs.
For her part, Francine Morin, from the communications department, insists that the borough is doing everything possible to inform residents affected by the work, such as public notices in the Messager and distribution of letters to households near where the repairs will be taking place. Regarding parking, people should call when not certain.
Météo: Montréal, 22 mai 2008 / 12°C
/ Faible averse de pluie
/ Vents: 9 Km/h / Humidité relative: 67 % 
par Pierre Lussier 
Voir toutes les photos
Steven Guilbeault - 
