Dollard-des-Ormeaux (DDO) residents are denouncing icy conditions on side streets in the area. While clean pavement can be seen on many main streets, a large number of side streets are covered in a thick sheet of bumpy ice.
“It’s like heaven here, and this side it’s hell,” said Mohammed Ali Khalil, standing at the intersection of Boniface and Chapleau streets. Boniface is covered in ice, whereas Chapleau is clean.
Khalil feels like he and his family are trapped. His wife refuses to walk anywhere these days.
“She’s afraid of falling down. She’s scared of ice,” he told Global News.
READ MORE: Icy Montreal sidewalks still a problem after recent winter storm, residents say
He worries for his family’s safety and wonders where his tax dollars are going.
“It’s like the city considers we are not paying taxes, so they’re like ‘we will not take care of you,'” Khalil said.
Get daily National news
“It’s like they forgot this little side street exists,” said neighbour Murtaza Albiz.
Near the entrance to the crescent, there are large crater-like holes in the ice.
“I’m trying to navigate the holes, trying not to break down my car,” said Albiz.
Other side streets in the area are equally treacherous.
READ MORE: Slushy mess greets Montreal commuters after onslaught of freezing rain, snow
The mayor of DDO says fluctuating temperatures forced him to make tough choices.
“People at the risk of getting flooded became the priority of the community,” said mayor Alex Bottausci.
He told Global News that when temperatures rose sharply, over 1,000 homes in the area were at risk of flooding.
Crews had to be diverted away from clearing side streets, focusing instead on making sure sewers were not buried in ice.
“I’d rather be talking about ice in the street than ice in someone’s basement,” Bottausci said.
Unable to keep up, Bottausci said the city is now calling in outside reinforcements and additional contractors were hired to deal with the ice.
He told Global News his own street is also covered in ice and he is asking residents to be patient.
Comments