DDO residents adding pressure to change Hydro-Quebec power line project

MONTREAL – Nearly 100 Dollard-des-Ormeaux residents  gathered Sunday at the Hydro-Quebec substation on the corner of Saint-Jean and de Salaberry boulevards to protest new power lines slated for construction.

Hydro-Quebec is proposing to build power lines along de Salaberry, between Saint-Jean and Sources boulevards.

The proposed transmission lines would span approximately three kilometres and would reach heights of 52 metres, dwarfing the already existing ones.

Hydro-Quebec insists the power lines are necessary to meet the West Island’s increasing demand for electricity, and with an estimated price tag of $14 million, building them over ground is the cheapest way to increase energy output.

READ MORE: DDO residents fight Hydro-Quebec plan to build more transmission lines

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But residents who would be directly impacted by the new structure don’t want more overhead power lines, they want them underground, an option that would cost $60 million.

Dollard-des-Ormeaux city councillor Morris Vesely accused Hydro-Quebec of ignoring their pleas.

“I would like them to really understand that the project is awful,” said Vesely. “The citizens of Dollard, don’t want it, the mayor and council don’t want it. “

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I would like them to really understand that the project is awful," said Vesely. "The citizens of Dollard, don't want it, the mayor and council don't want it. "

Among other changes, hydro is proposing building a new wall for nearby residents to control noise levels.

READ MORE: Information session takes place on Hydro-Quebec’s controversial DDO transmission line

Onnig Kouyoumdjian, a father of three and a resident who will be directly impacted by the wall, as it would cover his backyard, isn’t thrilled at the prospect.

He accused Hydro-Quebec of being out of touch.

“If there was a majority of the decision-makers that were living on this corridor, we can have a dialogue,” said Kouyoumdjian.

“But if it’s a decision made in some board room or office then it’s a blind decision.”

Residents will have a chance to voice their opinion to Hydro-Quebec at the provincial environment assessment committee known as BAPE on Tuesday at the civic centre.

BAPE’s report is scheduled to be deposited by August.