Stop dragging this out

Discussions regarding a possible new train service directly stopping at Pierre-Elliot Trudeau International Airport have gone since international flights were first transferred from Mirabel over a decade ago, as was revamping the Dorval Circle and creating a direct road access to the airport from Highway 20. In 2004, Ottawa (under the former Liberal government) held a news conference to announce that the three levels were committing $150 million for the airport link projects, stating then it would be ready for 2008. A major provincial environmental report, which included input from the public, which included input from the public, was also completed several years ago.

So today, all we have to show is an advisory committee set up to deal with the train link. If it took officials four years to come up with a committee after publicly promising a $150 million contribution, it could be another 40 years before train and road links to Montreal's international airport are modernized. Meanwhile, major upgrades and expansion to the airport itself have been going on for several years. On top of that, a new hotel is currently being built adjacent to the airport, joining the longstanding Hilton. While the direct train link is a complicated deal involving different levels of government with input from Aéroports de Montréal and train officials, it is frustrating for business and pleasure plane travellers, taxis, motorists and commuters in general who are being given the short shrift with all the inactivity regarding the Dorval Circle and train link to the airport in Dorval. Promises and plans are made every couple of years, but could we see the groundbreaking for these projects before ADM decides the Dorval airport, say in 20 years, is no longer adequate to meet its needs and moves all the flights to Mirabel?