MONTRÉAL’S CONSTRUCTION SITES CHARTER: A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

MONTRÉAL’S CONSTRUCTION SITES CHARTER: A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

The City of Montréal has recently adopted a construction sites charter. We cannot repeat it often enough: construction sites in Montréal are tremendously frustrating. Fortunately, with the adoption of this charter, we might finally start seeing some light at the end of the “orange cone”.

What are the City’s commitments under this new charter?

ONE: Accessibility, safety and mobility

• Plan and coordinate work taking into account the global work of all partners.
• Ensure safe pedestrian mobility.
• Display clear signage.
• Use adequate safety devices.

TWO: Impact management and mitigation measures

• Implement nuisance mitigation measures.
• Improve the cleanliness of work sites.
• Reduce excessive signage.
• Ensure the protection of trees.

THREE: Communication with the concerned public at all stages of the project

• Take into account the needs expressed by individuals, businesses and institutions.
• Improve cooperation with partners.
• Adopt best practices.

FOUR: Use of environmentally friendly work processes and materials

• Use techniques aimed at reducing the sites’ ecological footprint.
• Reduce transport activities for site operations globally.

Other key takeaways of this charter are the City’s commitment to:

• Strive to remove or cover orange cones and signage if no longer required during the work or at the end of a project;
• Set limits for the obstructions resulting from work sites, in terms of both time and scope;
• Reduce noise pollution produced by construction equipment;
• Convey clear and precise information on its projects;
• Take charge of 80% of citizens’ requests within 48 hours and close 80% of requests within 10 days;
• Foster innovation by taking advantage of new urban developments and experimenting with various sustainable development methods.

By Jean proulx