An exercise in public relations

" The biggest challenge was not technical. It was to conciliate and harmonize the different needs of the organizations involved: the government, Ville de Laval, the STL, the STM. That was the biggest challenge."

Mr. Normand added that a project of this magnitude, in an urban setting, also had to respect the concerns of the common people touched by its unfolding. "It's normal that the people should know what's going on in their neighbourhoods. An internet site and information pamphlets are not enough."

It was incumbent upon The Metropolitan Transit Agency (AMT) to consult, explain, and organize information meetings. The engineer cited as examples the residents living close to the metro's secondary facilities (ventilation systems, electrical equipment installations, and emergency exits) built at Saint-Claude and Cluny parks in Laval-des-Rapides. "These people had trucks on their doorsteps for nearly three years. I thank them (for their tolerance)."

Mr. Normand characterized 'social acceptance of a project' as the engineer's real challenge. "The technical side is part of the engineer's competencies, and in mastering the technical aspects we establish control over the (physical) situation. But to convince everyone … now that's a horse of a different colour."

According to Laval-des-Rapides city councilor Ginette Grisé, the AMT did its job, with a sincere willingness to respect people's rights. "Yes, some people were inconvenienced, but the dust and the mountain of rubble (in front of Collège Montmorency), that's done with, gone and forgotten. It's a great achievement for the Laval-des-Rapides district. It will bring lots of renewal."