“We’re here because our daily lives have been changed in a way none of us have asked for”
The ongoing battle over Highway 640 once again took centre stage at Rosemère’s Oct. 13 council meeting, where frustrated residents urged elected officials to continue pushing for solutions to traffic noise, speeding vehicles and what many say has become a declining quality of life.
Few residents captured that frustration more clearly than Du Colibri sector resident Rebecca Wright, who arrived at council chambers with a petition containing more than 500 signatures, including 320 from Rosemère residents.
“I’m here today with over 500 signatures and 320 come from Rosemère’s residents who are exhausted, who are worried and who are honestly heartbroken,” Wright told council.
She said the issue has evolved far beyond a simple nuisance and has become a daily struggle for many of the families living closest to the highway.
“We’re here because our daily lives have been changed in a way none of us have asked for and we can’t keep living like this.”
Wright said residents increasingly feel as though there is no escape from the traffic noise that now surrounds their neighbourhoods throughout the day and night.
“The noise has been unbearable. It now invades our homes. Now we even hear it when our windows shut morning and night, we never get a break.”
According to Wright, many residents are now experiencing interrupted sleep, elevated stress and growing concerns about the long-term effects on both their physical and mental well-being.
The presentation set the tone for much of the evening, as discussion repeatedly returned to concerns surrounding Highway 640 and the impacts being felt in nearby neighbourhoods.
Council continues pushing for Highway 640 mitigation
The residents’ concerns were reflected throughout the council agenda, with multiple resolutions directly linked to the ongoing Highway 640 file.
Among them was a request asking Quebec’s Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility to participate financially in the construction of a proposed 300-metre vegetative barrier along Highway 640. Council also approved a contract for revegetation work in the Du Colibri sector, one of the areas most affected by highway noise.
In addition to those projects, elected officials moved forward with zoning amendments that would establish standards for fences, sound barriers and low walls for properties located adjacent to Highway 640.
While technical in nature, the proposed changes represent another step in the town’s efforts to provide residents with additional tools to lessen the impact of traffic noise.
Taken together, the measures demonstrate how substantially the Highway 640 issue has shaped municipal priorities over the past several months. What began as a resident complaint has increasingly become a planning and infrastructure issue requiring cooperation between municipal and provincial governments.
Modified vehicles become another source of frustration
While Highway 640 dominated much of the discussion, residents also used question period to raise concerns about loud modified vehicles travelling through town during overnight hours.
Resident Camille Leblond told council that one particular vehicle has become a near-nightly disturbance.
“At 1:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., it’s always the same car. Maybe the guy has to work nights because it’s almost every night,” he said.
Leblond added that despite the recurring problem, he rarely sees police presence monitoring the area.
“It absolutely hell, I’ve never seen a police car there to monitor it.”
The comments echoed concerns frequently heard throughout suburban communities, where residents have increasingly complained about modified exhaust systems and excessive vehicle noise.
Mayor Marie Elaine Pitre acknowledged the issue and assured residents the town would continue pressing police authorities for action.
“Yes, of course we will be putting pressure on the police so that they can regulate this,” she said. “We are your voice and we will be bringing it up to them.”
The mayor’s remarks drew support from several residents in attendance who applauded the town’s willingness to continue advocating on their behalf.
“From Lorraine to the 15 it’s a racetrack”
The discussion surrounding Highway 640 continued later in the evening when resident John Paul Moutinho proposed a potential solution that he believes could address both speeding and noise concerns.
“We’ve heard tons of people speak about it tonight but something I suggest you speak to the Minister of Transport about is installing a photo-radar on the 640,” Moutinho told council.
According to him, the stretch of highway between Lorraine and Highway 15 has developed a reputation for excessive speeding, particularly during evening hours.
“From Lorraine to the 15 it’s a racetrack. Maybe we could finance a part of the wall with money collected from the photoradar.”
Moutinho argued that a photo-radar installation could act as a deterrent for speeding motorists while simultaneously reducing noise levels experienced by residents living nearby.
“This will also help reducing noise levels at night because as it stands right now, it’s a racetrack,” he said. “A simple photoradar around exit 24 would be a deterrent for people. It would fetch a lot of extra money and give the residents there a much better quality of life.”
The suggestion drew an enthusiastic response from Mayor Pitre.
“I love the idea, thank you very much,” she replied.
Although any decision regarding photo radar would ultimately rest with provincial authorities, the proposal appeared to strike a chord with both council members and residents seeking more concrete measures to address the ongoing issue.
Growing pressure for results
Beyond discussions surrounding Highway 640, council dealt with a number of routine municipal matters, including planning applications, financial resolutions and administrative files.
Still, by the end of the evening, it was evident that traffic-related concerns remained the dominant issue on residents’ minds.
