Measures being implemented by Pointe-Claire to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety along a busy section of Douglas-Shand Ave. are under way, just ahead of the new school year.
The section of Douglas-Shand just east of St-Jean Blvd. is home to John Rennie High School, École Pointe-Claire, the central municipal library and the city hall parking lot. In addition, the municipal aquatic centre and arena entrances are located just around the corner on Maywood Ave.
As part of an agreement reached with two public school boards in June, the city awarded a $99,000 contract last month to Les Pavages La Cité B.M. to carry out the Douglas-Shand revamp project.
A new access to the front parking lot of John Rennie High School from St-Jean Blvd. has already been set up, with divided entrance/exit lanes. This will replace the access to the John Rennie parking lot directly from Douglas-Shand, which is right across the street from the entrance to the library/city hall parking lot.
As well, two STM bus stops on Douglas-Shand will be moved slightly east, from right in front of the library/high school, closer to Civic Centre Ave., which lies between city hall and the aquatic centre and leads to the police station.
A pedestrian crossing and a median island, similar to the structure built a few years ago on Cartier Ave. in front of the Lac St-Louis CLSC, will be installed on Douglas-Shand near the relocated bus shelters.
The sidewalk at the corner of Maywood Avenue and St-Louis Ave., which is near École Pointe-Claire, is being widened to induce drivers to slow down and to shorten the time needed to cross the street. These safety measures being financed by the city should be in place by early September, said Pointe-Claire spokeswoman Marie-Pier Paquette-Séguin.
Meanwhile, the Lester B. Pearson School Board and Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys are to eventually install a new kiss-and-ride to be used by parents of both John Rennie and École Pointe-Claire to drop off or pick up their kids.