A deserved pat on the back

Two years later, and still no movement on Dorval Circle. Of course, we’re not talking about traffic at the much-maligned roundabout, but sometimes it can feel just that long. No, we’re talking about the hugely trumpeted overhaul of the circle, announced more than two years ago.

Federal, provincial and municipal officials were all on hand and beaming, as the confusing path to the Montreal/Dorval Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport from downtown would soon be a thing of the past and simply a bad memory.

They gushed, and they praised one another’s vision and creativity. They were awash in self-congratulations and slaps on the back.

Here we are, two years later, and still no movement. Sure, there have been rumblings of discussions here and there, but little concrete action.

But seriously, folks. Did you expect anything less? This is still Montreal, after all, where nothing moves slower than the public service.

So imagine our surprise this week when the city of Montreal approved the expenditure of $90,000 to cover a study whose mandate is to gauge the feasibility of a high-speed light-rail link between the airport and downtown. The link would also benefit West Island commuters, whose train use will reduce levels of carbon emissions and ease traffic woes.

It’s a start, no more, but it is cause for optimism. If this study is successful, that could lead to a second study, and so forth. At this point, if someone is just talking about the project, it’s a positive thing, and Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay’s obsession with his city’s international profile would certainly benefit by a light-rail link — taking the train is very European, don’t you know — and it would make getting to the airport a lot easier than it currently is.

The cost of the study is to be assumed completely by the agglomeration council, so these are your tax dollars at work, whether you’re still in Montreal or you’re not.

A light-rail link will be not only a boon for airport travellers, but also for university and college students, whose access to the train at non-peak rush hours is severely limited. Students looking to get to a

midday class in Notre Dame de Grace or downtown need only get themselves by bus to the Dorval terminal, where a train will be waiting to whisk them downtown in minutes.

Rose-coloured glasses or not, Montreal deserves kudos for pushing the project along and keeping it in the minds of bureaucrats and politicians charged with the Dorval Circle overhaul. Somebody had to show some initiative and Montreal deserves congratulations for being the one.翿