Montreal intersection 'needs a redesign,' city councillor says after pedestrian death
Man, 63, dies after being struck at Beaubien and Pie-IX, 1 of city's most dangerous corners
A Montreal city councillor is calling for changes to an intersection in the borough of Rosemont—La-Petite-Patrie after the death of a pedestrian yesterday.
It happened at the corner of Beaubien Street and Pie-IX Boulevard, which is among the most dangerous intersections in Montreal.
At least 14 pedestrians were injured there between 2011 and 2014.
Guillaume Lavoie, a councillor for Projet Montréal, said the intersection is in a high-traffic area with fast-moving vehicles, making it difficult for pedestrians to cross.
"This intersection needs a redesign," Lavoie told Daybreak.
"What I would like to see is a longer crossing time for pedestrians. That's number one. Second, make sure it's more visible."
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More generally, Lavoie said he's troubled by the number of accidents involving pedestrians. He said there's an urgent need for improvements at intersections across the city.
"There are way too many pedestrians who get hit at intersections."
The 63-year-old man who died Monday has yet to be identified.
He was on Beaubien crossing at Pie-IX when he was struck by the bus, which was turning right from Beaubien onto Pie-IX.
The man was rushed to the hospital but later died from his injuries. The bus driver was taken to hospital to be treated for shock.
Safer in 2018?
Montreal does intend to completely redesign the intersection as part of a long-promised bus rapid transit (BRT) service along Pie-IX Boulevard. But construction isn't expected to begin before fall 2018.
"The City of Montreal has ensured that the BRT project will be conceived in a way to reduce the risk of accidents, particularly of pedestrians and cyclists, all along the boulevard," said Marie-Eve Courchesne, a spokesperson for the city.
"That includes the intersection of Beaubien Street and Pie-IX Boulevard."
The bus was transporting students from the English Montreal School Board's Nesbitt elementary school. There were 11 students on board.
Angela Mancini, chair of the EMSB, said parents were notified about the incident on Monday, as was the "entire school community."
"We are trying to do the best that we can for the students," she said.