Project: Noise barrier along autoroute 20

How much would it cost to build a noise barrier?

Between 50 and 60 million dollars. 

Would it be possible to hold a referendum for the construction of a noise barrier?

Council could consider holding a referendum.  

Could a reserve fund be created for the noise barrier? 

A reserve fund could be created by Council resolution.

With regard to the noise barrier, would all residents have to pay for services rendered by the City, or only those affected by certain special projects?

This would depend on the loan bylaw that could be proposed to citizens by Council.

Regarding the financing of the noise barrier, could there be a local improvement tax or rather a city-wide municipal tax?

This would depend on the loan bylaw that could be proposed to citizens by Council.

In 2015, the then minister had assured that the Beaconsfield part of the noise barrier costs would not exceed 5 million dollars, there would be no cost overrun, and the budget would be respected. How do you explain the most recent estimate?

According to the partnership agreement proposed by Transport Québec and approved by Council, the City pays 25% of the cost instead of 50% usually prescribed by the government’s policy. We invite you to consult the MTQ's presentation from May 17.

Why did the City not respect the MTQ policy that municipalities have to assume the costs for noise barriers for new residential developments along main arteries when it approved the construction of housing on Beaurepaire?

There was very little private development along Beaurepaire Drive following the adoption of the government’s policy.

Which measures could be taken to alleviate the health problems caused by noise for the citizens residing on the north side of highway 20?

No measures are being considered for citizens residing on the north side of Highway 20.

Is the City in violation of the Environment Quality Act and of the limitation on noise pollution caused by the highway and rail corridor?

No. Otherwise the City would have to pay penalties and be obliged to act which is not the case. The City respects the laws and bylaws.

Will residents be able to present their point of view during future discussions on the noise barrier?

Yes, the City is holding open house sessions on May 30 and June 6 2022, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., for the general public as well as meetings for specific situations with the owners living along the projected barrier.

In order to continue the citizen consultation, the City is launching a Léger 360 survey to reach a representative sample of the population of Beaconsfield. It is therefore possible that you will be contacted in the next few days by the firm Léger to answer questions about the noise barrier.

What is diffraction and its impact?

Diffraction is a phenomenon where sound waves are attenuated and propagate towards a receiver. In the construction of a noise barrier, this usually occurs above the barriers (as shown in the presentation). Generally, when the noise barrier is sufficiently high and long, the effects of diffraction are minimal for the population living behind the noise barrier. This is because the height of the screen provides sufficient attenuation of the sound wave. Therefore, the presence of the noise barrier will not increase the noise level south of Highway 20.

Is the Rockwool that will be used in the noise barrier toxic or carcinogenic?

The Rockwool insulation in the woven willow rod noise barrier is biosoluble, non-carcinogenic and not classified as an irritant by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Are the willow rods that will be used to build the noise barrier susceptible to rodent damage or more susceptible to deterioration?

Rodent damage to the panels or Rockwool has not been detected in any of the various noise barriers made of woven willow stems installed along the Ministry's road network. It should also be noted that these walls include concrete elements placed at the bottom of the screens to limit the rise of humidity from the ground, as well as a steel cap to ensure better protection of the end of the wood pieces.

Will the noise from motorbikes, as well as car and motorbike races be reduced by the noise barrier in zone 4, between Saint-Charles Boulevard and the eastern limit of the installation?

The installation of a noise barrier will reduce the noise intensity from Highway 20. In Zone 4, the average attenuation expected for all types of vehicles will be 8 to 13 dBA. It should be noted that the different frequency bands will not be equally affected by the construction of the noise barrier, but the noise produced by passing motorbikes will be significantly reduced even in its low-frequency components, i.e. between 50 and 250 Hz.