Sud-Ouest borough says changes coming after construction blocks entire street

Montreal’s Sud-Ouest borough officials say changes are coming after Global News first reported about unhappy residents living alongside construction sites.

Residents on Sainte-Marguerite Street in Saint-Henri told Global News they feel trapped and their cars are often boxed in by construction crews using their street as a parking lot.

READ MORE: Operation Orange: asking Montreal drivers to slow down in construction zones

The borough confirmed that it is taking action effective Thursday to free up the street.

“Since there seems to be some inconveniences, the permit will [be] modified to give better access to the street for the residents,” an official said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Since there seems to be some inconveniences, the permit will [be] modified to give better access to the street for the residents," an official said.

As of Thursday, construction firms will be limited to one car lane or six metres for their equipment.

Jill Samborsky, who lives on the street, complained  it’s often a fight when she gets home from work.

READ MORE: Saint-Henri residents losing sleep, forced to move because of Turcot Interchange construction

“The city’s forgotten that we are it’s citizens, we are the residents,” she said.

“A condo might be good for the borough in the long-run, but it should take into consideration the people who live around it. It shouldn’t inhibit our daily motions.”

Samborsky’s balcony is now covered in garbage and recycling bins.

READ MORE: Sud-Ouest construction creating bus headache for residents

She said trucks haven’t been able to come to her house and it’s been about three weeks since the last pick up.

“Garbage, recycling, compost have all just forgotten us,” she said.

“God forbid that someone have an accident and need an ambulance because there’s no way they could get through.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "God forbid that someone have an accident and need an ambulance because there's no way they could get through."

She called the borough and police to complain multiple times, saying the borough did sent an inspector at first.

READ MORE: Snow removal company under fire after causing damages in Saint-Henri

When nothing changed, she called again.

“When I called the police two days ago, it was my understanding, they said the construction company now has permission to block our entire street,” she said.

“They’re allowed to do whatever we want: block the street from one end to the other and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "They're allowed to do whatever we want: block the street from one end to the other and there's nothing anyone can do about it."