Work begun on the extension of Autoroute 25, deemed premature by some, has drawn a reaction from the Green Coalition.
(Photo: Martin Alarie)
Autoroute 25: bridge construction up and running
Coalition that opposes project considers injunction
Work on the extension of Highway 25 finally underway as of this past Wednesday, has drawn the ire of the green Coalition which is headed toward taking out an injunction, the last recourse for putting an immediate stop to the construction activity.
Concession A-25, the private partner under contract to the government for the construction of the bridge and the section of the highway which will link the 440 to Henri-Bourassa Blvd. is at work. Preparation has begun on the lot on the corner of Levesque Blvd. and Roger-Lortie Avenue, where two columns are to be erected on solid ground.
Permits obtained
In an interview with Courrier Laval at the beginning of the month, Daniel Toutant, president and director-general of Concession A-25, stated that the permits were all that was needed for the work to begin.
A certificate of authorization was issued by the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks (MDDEP) February 14, giving the green light to the construction of two pylons needed to support steel cables for the future bridge.
To be built in the river on the Laval side, the two principal columns will be 280 metres apart, at a distance deemed appropriate to prevent unsettling the fish in the area considered an important natural habitat.
Authorized work
By virtue of the authorization, the developer can now proceed to the stripping and leveling work needed to access the shore on the Laval side.
A go-ahead from the Ministry of Transport was also obtained for the building of a local access road, installation of rolling stock (trailers, containers, equipment), construction of a temporary parking lot, installation of two temporary culverts in the Bas-Saint-Francois stream, construction in the shallow end of the Riviere des Prairies, and finally, the construction of pylons 10 and 11 mentioned earlier.
There's strong likelihood that Concession A-25 will quickly proceed with in-river construction, considering that by government decree construction in aquatic milieus is prohibited between April 1 and August 1, the period which coincides with the spawning phase of the yellow sturgeon which inhabits the area.
Photo: 871
(Photo: Martin Alarie)
Météo: Laval, 19 juillet 2008 / 20°C
/ Couvert
/ Vents: 6 Km/h / Humidité relative: 88 % 
Steven Guilbeault - Chronique environnement
Richard Cléroux - Le fouineur politique
