Intersection near new MUHC is dangerous, say pedestrians and cyclists

A newly redesigned intersection at Décarie and De Maisonneuve boulevards has pedestrians and cyclists worried about their safety.

Some say the five-branch intersection in front of the new MUHC superhospital favours motorists.

"It's an embarrassment to see the way pedestrians and cyclists are being treated, literally blocks away from a brand new hospital," said Daniel Lambert, a spokesman of the Association for Pedestrians and Cyclists for NDG.

He said cyclists and pedestrians cannot safely access the Vendôme Metro station or the bike path.

Instead, Lambert said people are forced to cross the intersection twice and pile up "like cattle" in front of cars and trucks.

Lambert said the city could easily resolve the problem by installing a 20-second four-way pedestrian light. He said that currently there is only one pedestrian light that runs for six seconds.

The city told CBC Radio One's Daybreak that the reason there were no protected lights was to prevent possible traffic buildup for ambulances who need to access the hospital, adding that this too could be a health and safety concern for Montreal.

Lambert rejected the city's statement.

"That's irresponsible. Who's to say that when the ambulance arrives at that intersection that it will be a pedestrian light cycle?" Lambert said.

"If I want to get through there in an ambulance I would much rather have a pedestrian light cycle, because they can easily move out of the way."