Message in the Free Press

August 2012 – It’s been a great summer so far

What an incredible summer this has been. Hot, sunny, long days brings us outdoors to enjoy walking, cycling, car rides and fun at the parks and pools. That’s the good part. But we must also contend with new, less experienced drivers and fast cars, worried parents, young children playing out front and older kids hanging out in and around parks late into the night.

The rules of the road and municipal regulations must be obeyed if we are all to live together as a happy, small community. For those not so happy among us, a call may be necessary to police for speeding issues while Public Security is available to enforce many non-moving city bylaws. Our Public Safety divisions, including Public Security, EMS and vCOP are out and about for your protection together with the Island of Montreal Police.

A shuttle service to the hospital sector is a priority for the Transportation committee and we are studying possibilities in consultation with the CLSC, hospitals, Montreal Transit and other interested bodies. We want to find ways to make public transportation more desirable, convenient and cost-effective for our residents while easing congestion on the roads.

Meanwhile, traffic calming is an ongoing concern. We have analyzed nearly every street in the city and have taken action on the most problematic roadways with positive results. We certainly cannot alter every street and parents have to play their part in setting expectations with their children who drive around town otherwise the police will intervene leading to demerit points and hefty fines.

The unique and exciting Imagination Park is set to open on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 19) at 5pm behind the Aquatic and Community Centre on Parkhaven. Come join us to see for yourself and be sure to bring the kids!

With the provincial election underway we must be outspoken in protecting our English-language rights and institutions. As a bilingual municipality our philosophy is to show respect for both of Canada’s official languages.

My blog and tweets are an unparalleled means of keeping you informed on very local issues. “Nashen Notes” is easy to find. Click “subscribe” and you’re all set to get breaking news, local opinion, public safety information and media clips from Cote Saint-Luc.

Finally, I launched a Photo of the Week challenge on my blog whereby I hope to post one picture a week for at least 52 weeks, each one somehow pertaining to life in Cote Saint-Luc. I’ll take lots of shots myself but I can use your help so grab your iPhone or DSLR and snap a couple for Nashen Notes. Send it to me in medium resolution with your title and description and I’ll post the best one each weekend.

Enjoy the summer and stay safe.

Glenn J. Nashen is the City Councillor of District 6 and is responsible for Public Safety and Transportation in Cote Saint-Luc. Visit http://www.GlennJ.Nashen.com.

Photo of the Week #6: Laying down the line

 

While Cote Saint-Lucers are asleep in their homes municipal contractors and other city employees are hard at work.  On a recent night I spotted this painting crew spraying lines and arrows at the intersection of Cavendish and Mackle.

Their work is pretty precise, following plans drawn up by City Traffic Engineer, Dr. Mohammed Ali.  Every line, marking and symbol is sketched in detail and these plans are submitted to the contractors each year.  Crews work throughout the night spraying thousands of litres of white and yellow paint.  Glass “dust” is then sprinkled over the paint to maximize the reflection of lights and to increase visibility of the markings.

Urban Development Director Charles Senekal and Junior Project Coordinator Joanna Luciano report that nearly 50 kilometres of white, yellow, dashed and double lines will be painted on many of Cote Saint;Luc’s 147 streets this month.  As well, there are curb markings (yellow no parking zones and potentially dangerous curves), bike lanes, traffic calming markings, arrows, no parking symbols in addition to crosswalk markings and parking lot painting.

How much does all this cost?  About $70,000.

White paint is sprayed into the symbol form (the left turn arrow) and glass granules are sprinkled on the wet paint

Montreal to regulate traffic-calming measures

Montreal to regulate traffic-calming measures. (Montreal Gazette, Oct. 21, 2011)

These measures by the City of Montreal will have no effect on the demerged municipalities, despite the confusing reference at the end of this article (link above).

While Cote Saint-Luc was reluctant for most of the last 25 years to implement speed bumps and humps only in the last few years have we begun to allow a few exceptions based upon traffic pattern analysis by city engineers.

Hampstead speed hump mania sparks debate

Hampstead speed hump mania sparks debate

By Joel Goldenberg

The Suburban

August 24, 2011

 

Hampstead recently announced that 13 speed humps were being installed or modified throughout the town.

 

The new humps are near 26 Cressy Road, 34 Heath Road, 117 Finchley Road, 143 Finchley Road, 211 Netherwood Crescent, 5613 Queen Mary Road, 5622 Queen Mary Road and 32 Thurlow Road. Some of the new humps replace ones that have been removed near 5607 and 5615 Queen Mary and 5616 and 5626 Queen Mary. Other humps will be reconstructed, near 5649, 5654, 5669, 5670 and 5690 Queen Mary.

 

As one can tell from the above announcement, Hampstead is adding to what is already a very abundant number of speed humps on its territory, which have been installed to slow down traffic — especially during the summer — and usually in response to complaints from residents — especially those with small children. There are already nearly 10 humps within a few blocks-radius on Dufferin, and Queen Mary Road in Hampstead has many as well, every few feet.

 

The humps, over the years, have been replacing the more abrupt speed bumps, which have jolted both cars and motorists. But even with the humps, especially in Hampstead, if a motorist is not paying attention and going a little faster than he or she should, there could be an even greater jolt to both man (or woman) and machine.

 

Different municipalities have different methods of traffic calming. Côte St. Luc resisted speed bumps for decades, saying they were dangerous for emergency vehicles and cyclists. But after numerous complaints of speeders, Côte St. Luc has been installing speed humps and chokers (items such as flower pots) to slow down traffic. Montreal West has decided to install speed humps on two of its quieter streets, Brock and Ballantyne, as well as curb extensions on Westminster. This decision came about as the result of a consensus of a majority of area residents, who also complained of speeding on all three streets and the volume of motorists who use Brock and Ballantyne as an alternative to Westminster.

Côte des Neiges-NDG favours bollards, poles that have the effect of narrowing streets, and there are many of them on quieter streets. Motorists must slow down to avoid damaging their cars.

 

Opinions of the speed humps vary, with most not liking them but a few feeling they are a necessary evil.

 

At a recent council meeting, Côte St. Luc councillor Ruth Kovac stuck to Côte St. Luc’s traditional position on speed humps.

“I don’t agree with the humps or bumps,” Kovac told The Suburban. “I find them dangerous, and they tend to interfere with ambulances, especially if you’re a patient riding in an ambulance. Accidents happen with them, whether they can prevent you from seeing it or you can miss it if you turn around to look somewhere else. They do damage to vehicles and to yourself inside the car.”

 

Côte St. Luc mayor Anthony Housefather supports the use of speed humps, but sparingly.

 

“I wouldn’t use humps except where we drastically need it.” he said.

 

But sparingly can not be the word used when it comes to humps in Hampstead. The Suburban asked west end residents what they think of speed humps, both in Hampstead and in general.

 

“I think they slow down cars, definitely,” said a Hampstead resident who did not want to be identified. “I think that it would be better if there was police who would enforce the speed limit. It’s important to slow down traffic, but nobody really likes speed humps.”

 

Another Hampstead resident and motorist says he specifically avoids the streets with speed humps, considering the devices to be a major irritant but, at the same time, necessary when some drivers are using excessive speeds.

 

Côte St. Luc resident Aviva Zucker, interviewed at Hampstead Park, said the humps are “obnoxious” but necessary on streets with small children.

“I don’t like them because I don’t like anything that slows me down in the middle of the road,” she said. “In an area where there’s kids, it’s very possible you won’t see them on the street and forcing people to slow down is necessary. But I’m a driver, and as a driver, they’re obnoxious.”

 

Zucker said one of the humps on Queen Mary does not have a proper warning. “So sometimes I don’t notice it 100 percent, and I’m right before it [by the time I see it],” she added.

 

Council regulars Phil and Rosalie Gordon, also interviewed at Hampstead Park, believe the town is excessive when it comes to speed humps. Phil Gordon pointed to the many speed humps on Dufferin as an example.

 

“People who are first responders have complained that the fire engines can’t get through, and the first responders can’t get through,” Phil Gordon said. “They clearly are very important people when needed. To have them impeded in doing their work as best they can is not appropriate. It also injures their equipment.”

 

Rosalie Gordon said there are other methods to calm traffic. “You see them all over Montreal,” she says. “They’re not aesthetically pleasing, but they do the trick.”

 

West end residents were also interviewed at Cavendish Mall.

 

Hampstead resident Dr. Morris Schweitzer said there are too many speed humps in the town.

 

“Try driving down Queen Mary Road every block you’ve got the stupid speed humps,” he said. “You don’t need that many. There’s a corner — Queen Mary and Holly — where everyone comes whizzing around. That’s where you need them, not the stupid speed humps up the street. They’re totally ridiculous, I’d get rid of them.”

 

“I hate [speed humps],” said Côte St. Luc resident Robert Gurman. “They ruin your car.”

 

But NDG resident Nick Myrianthis likes the bollards in his borough.

 

“It slows down the traffic, and I have no problem with them.”

Letters: In defence of Nashen

2011-08-17 In defence of Nashen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Letters to the Editor: Glenn Nashen’s prioritizing of traffic complaints

Letters to the Editor: Glenn Nashen’s prioritizing of traffic complaints

The Suburban

August 10, 2011

 

Councillor Nashen is right that CSL has many streets and taxes are an issue. He’s also probably right that not every case is a life and death one. But safety for all Côte St. Lucers in all neighbourhoods should be his priority and he should be more incensed at the danger on our streets than at our “alarmist” reactions.

Is it alarmist to think we deserve safe streets?

Is it alarmist to compare our roads to neighbouring boroughs or towns replete with bollards, bumps, signs, planters and other measures?

Is it alarmist to want the same safe streets new buyers are anticipating in the new Cavendish development?

Is it alarmist to say not all Côte St. Luc streets are family-friendly? Should we have consulted the engineering department before we closed on our home?

Statistics show numbers, but they don’t show me yanking my kids from the curb because of: endless parades of commuters speeding up to make the light; pizza delivery guys playing F1; hundreds who discover my street is a shortcut to another neighbourhood; morning commuters racing past each other; the disregard for the corner stop sign – a corner made more dangerous by encroaching bushes and low light (apparently a nearby light destroyed during the ice storm was never replaced).

Hampstead had it right, blocking off some streets. They rightly care more about their residents than their neighbour’s commutes.

For crying out loud, we slapped up an Aquatic Centre in just a few months, surely we can get a speed bump, shorten lights, brighten a corner and enforce a stop. It’s a no-brainer.

I suggest nightly driving tours through other areas of Côte St. Luc – commuter flash mobs – respecting speed limits – but traveling on other small streets ad nauseum until we see how alarmist those residents get. One hundred and forty-six streets… Wow. Any suggestions where we should start?

Pina Trengia

District 3

Côte St. Luc

Can’t prioritize all CSL traffic complaints at same time

Can’t prioritize all CSL traffic complaints at same time: Nashen

By Joel Goldenberg, The Suburban, July 13, 2011

Côte St. Luc councillor Glenn Nashen recently provided some insight as to the receiving end of complaints and appeals residents have regarding traffic conditions on their streets.

Nashen, in charge of the public safety dossier on council, addressed Councillor Sam Goldbloom’s recent special meeting for District 1 residents living in the area known as north of Hampstead.

Nashen pointed out to the residents of streets like Tommy Douglas and David Lewis that they, like other residents, have problems like speeders, graffiti, garbage and others.

“We’ve all, councillors and city staff, received calls from residents with very urgent, pressing problems on their street,” Nashen said. “They are urgent, many of them; and they are pressing, certainly if you live there; and they do require attention because we’re all taxpayers, including those of us who are elected — we want action.

“But bear in mind, there are 146 streets and 30,000 residents, and we can’t prioritize everything at the same time. We do try very hard to keep our property taxes within a very reasonable margin and if you do look year after year, when the tax rates are set in the demerged municipalities, Côte St. Luc tends to have one of the lowest rates of tax increases of any municipality, and we do so without cutting back on various things the city is supposed to provide.”

Nashen added that while residents call for traffic calming measures on their particular streets, they have to realize residents of 145 other streets want the same.

“It all costs money. We have to do what we can do, reasonably so, and all within a budget that really doesn’t penalize yourselves and everyone else at the end of the year when we realize… we’ve gone over our budget.”

Nashen said he also does not like when some residents call to say “someone’s going to be killed” because of traffic on their particular street.

“It’s alarmist, and it’s easy to be alarmist, but we have experts here. They’ll place specialized sensors across the road and analyze the traffic… to really determine if there’s something alarming, if there’s a slight problem or perhaps the resident technically doesn’t understand what’s happening. But as a young parent, if I’m watching my kids on the street and I see one or two cars speed by, I’m going to be alarmist as well. We have to look at risk factors and what we can afford.”

Nashen also pointed out that speeding was acknowledged as a real problem in north of Hampstead, judging by the many traffic calming measures in the area.

The councillor added that he used to believe that speed humps and bumps were dangerous and a nuisance. “But so many people are asking for them, we really can’t avoid them any more – in a coordinated, logistical fashion, we’re determining the best places to install them.”

Message to District 6 Residents

The nice weather means more cars on our roads, some of them moving a little too quickly. This season we are expanding the traffic calming measures I initiated on Einstein Ave.  On Wavell Rd., between McAlear Ave and Melling Ave we have painted lines to narrow the traffic lane in an effort to slow things down. As well, we have rolled out phase 1 of our CSL Cycles plan to get youngsters and families pedaling along side streets and eventually connecting our main streets to bike paths in NDG. Safer passage through the underpasses remains a priority and is now permitted on sidewalks, following the posted signs.

As the city’s head of Public Safety and Transportation I am working with police, public security, traffic engineers and volunteers to strive for a vision of a traffic-calmed and pedestrian-friendly community.

The soon-to-be completed Aquatic and Community Centre (ACC) is located within a short walk of most homes in District 6. I am working with city staff, and consulting with nearby residents as we plan to rebuild the Maimonides Park playground. Foremost on my mind is to keep residential surroundings peaceful, as always.

I invite you to subscribe to this blog (www.GlennJ.Nashen.com), which has more than 1,000 posts about Côte Saint-Luc, public safety and other local issues with news clippings dating back 30 years. It is the single most comprehensive news website about the City of Côte Saint-Luc. Follow me on Twitter and receive breaking news about street closures, water main breaks and other urgent matters.

To contact me, send an e-mail message to gjnashen@cotesaintluc.org or call 514-485-6945.

Have a wonderful and safe summer.

CSL not unanimous on speed humps

CSL not unanimous on speed humps

By Joel Goldenberg, The Suburban, April 20, 2011

Most of Côte St. Luc council voted to purchase $657,000 worth of traffic calming devices for various local streets to control speeders.

But Councillor Ruth Kovac voted against purchase, as the devices include several speed humps. In the past, the city was traditionally against speed bumps or the less bumpy humps, but the city has been installing humps in the last several years.

“I don’t agree with the humps or bumps,” Kovac told The Suburban after the April council meeting. “I find them dangerous, and they tend to interfere with ambulances, especially if you’re a patient riding in an ambulance. Accidents happen with them, whether they can prevent you from seeing it or you can miss it if you turn around to look somewhere else. They do damage to vehicles and to yourself inside the car.

“I think there’s better methods for traffic calming.”

Asked to reply, Mayor Anthony Housefather said there have been speed humps ever since he has been mayor, and even during the Côte St.HampWest merger era.

“The humps should be used sparingly, but there’s some occasions where you have no alternative but to use humps,” the mayor added. “I agree, I wouldn’t use humps except where we drastically need it. For example, there was a situation on David Lewis where we needed humps. Pinedale is another location.

“We also use chokers (items that narrow the width of a street) as much as we can, and other devices, but humps are needed in some places, in my view.”

Kovac countered that speed cushions are “just as effective, and much less intrusive and dangerous.”

Housefather said Kovac has a right to her opinion.

“We agree in principle to use the humps sparingly, we just disagree on the ‘never,’” the mayor said.

 

In my opinion:  First, it should be noted that the Suburban got the figures wrong.  The total amount of the purchase will be $15,000.  The amount they attributed was related to another agenda item.

While Councillor Kovac is correct in saying that the City was traditionally against humps and bumps when we re-established the City after the mergers we inherited a few humps and bumps (mostly on Randall) and in recent years there have been more and more requests due to excessive speeds that have been confirmed on several streets.

As Chair of the Public Safety and Transportation committees, and as a long-time volunteer with CSL EMS and as an Urgences Santé ambulance technician, I too was traditionally against this form of traffic calming.  The demands became too great and a new look was necessary.  Reluctantly, I have agreed to humps (wider and less abrupt than bumps) on a case by case basis.

We have begun by testing the location with the speed cushions that Councillor Kovac referred to but these must be installed and uninstalled every year.  Other devices for traffic calming include street line markings, bollards, road constriction at corners, raised crosswalks, street signs and lower speed limits.  Much of this can be seen on Einstein Ave which has achieved the desired effect of slowing down traffic making it safer for residents.

Speed limit lowered in CSL

Like other municipalities on the island of Montreal, the City of Côte Saint-Luc has reduced the speed limit on most streets to 40 km/h. The changes take effect as soon as new signage is installed.

The exceptions are the arterial roads which remain at 50km/h.  Arterial roads include Cavendish Blvd., Côte Saint-Luc Rd., Fleet Rd., Kildare Rd., Guelph Rd., and Mackle Rd.  There are no changes to 30 km/h zones are located adjacent to schools and parks.

“We know that lowering the posted speed limit is only part of the solution to making our streets even safer,” said Councillor Glenn J. Nashen, the council member responsible for public safety and traffic issues. “Police enforcement is also vital, as are traffic-calming measures like narrowed streets, speed humps, line painting and warning signs. Perhaps most important of all is for people who live in Côte Saint-Luc to lead by example by respecting the speed limits on our own streets.”

Autumn message to my constituents in District 6

Image via Wikipedia

I have reported that the vision of the City’s Public Safety and Traffic Committee, which I lead, is to create a traffic-calmed and pedestrian-friendly community. We are achieving this objective as we have initiated more traffic-calming measures on the most problematic blocks. In the last few months we have installed bollards, flower planters, speed humps, middle-of-the-road pedestrian signs, raised crosswalks and cement crosswalks. As well, we have doubled the width of painted lines of crosswalks making them far more visible. We have also painted lines to “visually narrow” sections of Einstein and David Lewis, effectively slowing down traffic. Finally, speed on all side streets has been reduced from 50 km/h to 40 km/h.

I have worked closely with Charles Senekal, Manager of Urban Planning and Traffic Engineer, Jordy Reichson, Director of Public Safety, and our valued committee members to develop effective, pleasing solutions. I always search out new ideas in my travels and online. Safer cycling and a shuttle bus services are two priorities still in the works. All of these measures are creating a safer environment for pedestrians and motorists of all ages.

Planning of the new intergenerational centre and indoor pool is well underway and construction is just beginning. I want to reassure nearby residents that I have spoken out to ensure minimum impact in terms of parking, noise and lighting issues, and relocation and enhancement of the playground. Your concerns are my concerns. When all is done we will have an amazing centre just a short walk from your home.

Our volunteer Emergency Medical Services and Citizens on Patrol teams are always looking for new recruits. We provide training, valuable skills, camaraderie and a rewarding experience. Call City Hall for details or visit CoteSaintLuc.org.

I invite you to subscribe to local updates at www.GlennJ.Nashen.com.

To contact me, call 514-485-6945 or send an e-mail message to GJNashen@CoteSaintLuc.org or subscribe to updates at www.GlennJ.Nashen.com.

Goin’ Slow on Einstein

During my visit with residents on Einstein Ave last fall the plea was pretty much unanimous:  “Slow down traffic on our block”.  

I brought this issue to our Traffic Committee, which I chair.  The road width, length, traffic patterns, speed and other factors were studied.  The conclusion was that the road is wider than most residential streets in our city, speeding is indeed a factor and new measures were needed to make this a safer street.  

I softened my long-standing policy against speed bumps (narrow, abrupt bumps across the road resulting in a thud) because of the reduction in emergency vehicle response times and agreed to experiment with speed humps (wider, gradual risers across the road that have less impact upon the driver with no noise when speed is reasonably adjusted).  

One of two traffic calming speed humps across Einstein Avenue

On a visit to Thornhill, Ontario, last year I noticed an interesting street line marking that intrigued me at first glance.  What I found remarkable was that cars were slowing down as a result of the perception of a reduction in the width of the street.  I decided we must try this in Cote Saint-Luc and the results were immediately evident.  Car speeds have come down considerably and with this successful outcome we may implement this technique on our most problematic streets.  

Street line markings and bollards narrow the width of Einstein Avenue resulting in slower traffic patterns

Pedestrian safety at crosswalks is extremely important to me, as well.  On my recommendation we have substantially improved the line markings and increased visibility of the crosswalks, together with highly reflective signage and middle-of the-road markers.  We have substantially increased the safety of pedestrians in our crosswalks.  

More visible crosswalks, like this one on Mackle and Einstein, will be the new norm near parks, playgrounds, schools and busy intersections in Cote Saint-Luc

Einstein resident Steven Glazer had this to say: “Thanks very much for the interest in Einstein. The street is a lot better and safer now, thanks to you and your efforts. Everyone is pleased.  Hopefully these paved asphalt speed humps will remain as they are for 12 months a year”.  

Dr. Hyman Schipper said, “My wife and I would like to express our gratitude to you and the City of Cote Saint-Luc for erecting the speed barriers on Einstein Ave. where we live. This has dramatically curtailed speeding on our street rendering it far safer for pedestrians, especially children who enjoy playing ball in their driveways”.

I’ve heard similar positive comments from other residents on the block.   The Einstein speeding problem seems to be fixed with these traffic calming measures and will serve as a model for other problematic areas in the city.

New traffic-calming coming to Einstein

Einstein Ave residents will soon notice new traffic calming measures on their street between Mackle Rd. and Kildare Rd. in an effort to make the street quieter, traffic slower and safer for all.  Einstein has one of the most problematic traffic flows in the city and has therefore been prioritized to receive these measures, some of which are being explored for the first time.

Specifically, here is the action we are taking:

• We are installing two permanent asphalt speed humps on Einstein Ave. near the start and end of the block. Speed humps are an effective traffic-calming measure.  Also, speed humps can remain in place all year—even in winter—unlike bollards or flower pots, which have to be removed every winter.

• We are installing four bollards near the middle of the block.

• We are painting two solid white lines to reduce the visual width of the street, to slow traffic and to provide a safer corridor for cyclists, a technique I first spotted in Thornhill, Ontario.

The city installed speed cushions near the middle of this block last year. We tested the speed of cars before and after we installed the traffic-calming measures. Our study showed that the average speed of vehicles indeed decreased. Therefore, we are confident that a permanent asphalt speed-hump will continue to help calm traffic on the street.

No parking spaces will be lost due to the humps as motorists are permitted to park their vehicles above a speed hump.

Finally, like other municipalities on the island of Montreal, the City of Côte Saint-Luc is reducing the speed limit on most streets to 40 km/h later this summer. The exceptions are the arterial roads, which include Cavendish Blvd., Côte Saint-Luc Rd., Fleet Rd., Kildare Rd., Guelph Rd., and Mackle Rd.

As chair of the City’s Public Safety and Traffic committee I work closely with our traffic engineer, Charles Senekal, as well as our Public Safety Director, Jordy Reichson, Public Security Chief, Michel Martel, Police Commander Sylvain Bissonnette and a number of other professionals and volunteers to serve our residents as best as possible.  Our mission is to create a traffic-calmed and pedstrian-friendly environment.

***

 

Chers résidants de l’avenue Einstein,

Nous sommes heureux d’annoncer que la Ville de Côte Saint-Luc installera deux dos d’âne allongés permanents en asphalte sur l’avenue Einstein entre les chemins Mackle et Kildare, afin d’améliorer la tranquillité, de ralentir la circulation et de rendre la rue plus sécuritaire pour tous.

Précisément, voici les gestes que nous posons :

• Nous installons deux dos d’âne allongés permanents en asphalte sur le l’avenue Einstein, près de l’entrée et de la fin du pâté de maisons. Le dos d’âne allongé est une mesure efficace d’apaisement de la circulation. Aussi les dos d’âne allongés ont le bénéfice de demeurer en place à l’année longue — même en hiver — contrairement aux bollards et aux pots de fleurs qu’il faut enlever pour l’hiver.

• Nous installons quatre bollards près du milieu du pâté de maisons.

• Nous allons peindre deux lignes blanches continues afin de réduire visuellement la largeur de la rue.

Vous vous souviendrez peut-être qu’en 2009 la ville avait installé des bollards et des pots de fleurs, à la demande des résidants qui étaient préoccupés par les véhicules roulant à une vitesse excessive. Nous avons vérifié la vitesse des voitures avant et après l’installation de ces mesures temporaires d’apaisement de la circulation, et notre étude a démontré que la vitesse moyenne des véhicules avait effectivement diminué. C’est pourquoi nous pouvons espérer que le dos d’âne allongé permanent aidera à réduire davantage la vitesse sur votre rue.

Aucune place de stationnement ne sera perdue pour autant, puisqu’il est permis de stationner un véhicule sur un dos d’âne allongé.

Si vous avez des questions, veuillez téléphoner à notre ingénieur de la circulation, Charles Senekal, au 514-485-6800, poste 1502, ou envoyez-lui un message courriel à csenekal@cotesaintluc.org.

On the campaign trail – Day 18 – Einstein Ave

Einstein Avenue was the latest stop on the campaign tour. I was joined by Councillor Ruth Kovac (District 8). Ruth was already elected by acclamation last week.  We were both first elected in 1990 and we have worked each election along-side Councillor Mitchell Brownstein (also elected last week by acclamation) as unofficial running mates. A great benefit of Cote Saint-Luc’s political system is the ability to maintain one’s independence from partisan politics and to truly represent the best interests of residents, block by block.

Councillors Ruth Kovac and Glenn J. Nashen

 

 

 We had the cushion installed mid-block along with two reflective bollards (short poles) and warning signs of the impending traffic calming measures. The cushions force the motorist to slow down to 20km/h or less or face an uncomfortable bump-bump. The recycled rubberized cushion absorbs most of the force of the vehicle reducing noise and vibrations. Best of all, the cushion is spaced out in such a way that large emergency vehicles can drive right over missing the cushion entirely thereby not slowing their urgent response.

The cushions will be removed for the winter and the Traffic committee that I sit on will review the results we have received, both positive and negative.

This is just one example of how I try to respond quickly to the needs of my constituents. Having been at this for 15 of the last 19 years I have a proven track record of succesfully resolving problems in my district and across the city.  Something to consider as we head to the polls on November 1.

27 days to go…

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Avenue Einstein a été le récent arrêt de la tournée de campagne. Ce soir, j’ai été rejoint par la conseillère Ruth Kovac (district 8). Ruth était déjà élu, par acclamation, la semaine dernière. Nous étions tous deux d’abord été élu en 1990 et nous avons travaillé en equipe avec le conseiller Mitchell Brownstein (également élu la semaine dernière par acclamation).

Un grand avantage de la système politique de la ville de Côte Saint-Luc est la capacité de maintenir son indépendance de la politique partisane et de représenter véritablement les intérêts des résidents, bloc par bloc.

Sur l’avenue Einstein les résidants ont été ennuyé par la vitesse élevée du trafic dirigé vers et à partir de la rue Mackle. Avec une connexion à leur conseiller de la ville (moi) des améliorations ont été sur le chemin. Ingenieur Charles Senekal et moi avons visité la rue avec des représentants d’une entreprise qui offre une nouvelle produit, un “coussin de vitesse”.

Nous avons installé le coussin au milieu de la rue. Les coussins encourage les automobilistes à ralentir à 20km / h ou moins.  Le coussin de caoutchouc recyclé absorbe la majorité des vibrations en réduisant le bruit.

Les coussins seront enlevés pour l’hiver et le comité de circulation, dont je suis membre, va passer en revue les résultats que nous avons reçu, à la fois positifs et négatifs.

Ce n’est qu’un exemple de la manière dont j’essaie de répondre rapidement aux besoins de mes électeurs. Ayant été à présent pour 15 des 19 dernières années, j’ai une expérience éprouvée de résoudre avec succès des problèmes dans mon quartier et à travers la ville. Quelque chose à nous considérer d’ici le 1ere Novembre.

27 jours à partir …

Einstein Ave to get traffic calming devices / Aux résidants de l’Avenue Einstein

Letter to Einstein Avenue Residents:

Since taking office in 2006, the Côte Saint-Luc city council has tested new methods to help reduce the speed of vehicles on our city streets and improving pedestrian safety. This has included street level crosswalk signs, bollards and speed cushions.

Following discussions with several residents on your street concerned with speeding cars and the safety of their children, our city engineers conducted a traffic study in your area and determined that Einstein Ave would benefit from traffic calming measures. Therefore, we will soon install new speed cushions (several small speed humps installed across the width of the road with spaces between them) and bollards (a short vertical post) on your street.

The traffic calming items will be installed near the homes at 5789, 5790, 5785 and 5786, but will not reduce the number of parking spots on the street.

If you have any technical questions about the traffic calming measures, you can contact either of us or speak directly to our traffic engineer, Charles Senekal (csenekal@cotesaintluc.org, 514-485-6800 ext. 1501).

We are happy to be responding to the needs of residents on your street with innovative traffic-calming methods and communicating with you to explain why we are making this change.

Best regards,

Anthony Housefather                      Glenn J. Nashen

Mayor                                                      Councillor (District 6)

ahousefather@cotesaintluc.org          gjnashen@cotesaintluc.org

In my opinion:  The new installation is actually a speed cushion, not quite a bump. It is made of rubber and will be removed at the end of the season. It is not meant to be a year round installation nor will it be permanent. It is meant as a temporary means of traffic calming.

The traffic engineers conducted speed testing on Einstein and verified that the speeding was problematic. They received requests for traffic calming by residents and it was studied by the Traffic Committee.

We have followed up with police patrols and the speed limit will soon be reduced to 40km/h as well.

Personally, I am opposed to humps and bumps as I find them to be an annoyance, a danger to unsuspecting cyclists and they slow down emergency vehicles and are most unpleasant for the patient on a stretcher (or worse yet, backboard even though they’re not used much anymore) in an ambulance.

The cushions are not from sidewalk to sidewalk and therefore safer for cyclists. They are just wide enough as to allow a fire truck to pass without going over the bump but not a passenger vehicle. The rubber absorbs the impact of the vehicle and isn’t nearly as noisy as bumps nor are the vibrations as severe.

I should note that I am not aware of any accidents having occurred on Einstein in the last several years.

The main problem with Einstein is that it was designed wider than an average side street and therefore the distance between stop signs, the width, the fact that the park and arena is at the end all contribute to speeding.

I think between this temporary measure, lowering of the speed limit and a few more tickets and the situation should be greatly improved to the satisfaction of local residents.

***

Chers résidantes, chers résidants de l’Avenue Einstein:

Depuis son entrée en fonction en 2006, le conseil municipal de Côte Saint-Luc a mis à l’essai de nouvelles méthodes afin de réduire la vitesse des véhicules dans nos rues et d’accroître la sécurité des piétons. Les essais ont porté notamment sur des panneaux placés dans la rue aux traverses de piétons, des bornes de protection et des coussins surélevés.

À la suite de discussions avec plusieurs résidants de votre rue qui se disent préoccupés de la vitesse excessive et craignent pour la sécurité de leurs enfants, nos ingénieurs municipaux ont effectué une étude de circulation dans votre secteur, et ils ont déterminé que des mesures d’apaisement de la circulation seraient utiles sur l’avenue Einstein. Par conséquent, nous installerons bientôt sur votre rue des coussins surélevés (séries de petits dos d’âne espacés les uns des autres posés transversalement sur la chaussée) et des bornes de protection (petits poteaux verticaux).

Ces éléments destinés à ralentir la circulation seront installés près des maisons portant les adresses 5789, 5790, 5785 et 5786, ce qui ne réduira pas le nombre de places de stationnement sur la rue.

Si vous avez des questions de nature technique concernant les mesures d’apaisement de la circulation, vous pouvez contacter un de nous deux à notre adresse ci-dessous ou parler directement à notre ingénieur de la circulation, Charles Senekal : csenekal@cotesaintluc.org, ou 514-485-6800 poste 1501.

Nous sommes heureux de répondre aux besoins des résidants de votre rue avec des solutions novatrices d’apaisement de la circulation et de communiquer avec vous pour préciser les raisons de ces changements.

Cordialement,

Anthony Housefather                      Glenn J. Nashen

Maire                                                             Conseiller (District 6)

ahousefather@cotesaintluc.org     gjnashen@cotesaintluc.org