Concerns over noise and safety on Wilfrid Lavigne and Des Allumettières boulevards

Tashi Farmilo

The City of Gatineau is facing a growing wave of concern from residents in the Aylmer district regarding excessive noise and safety issues along Wilfrid-Lavigne Boulevard and Des Allumettières Boulevard. Residents have expressed frustration over the persistent noise caused by vehicles, particularly motorcycles and modified cars, which frequently speed through these areas.

On the Aylmer Community Facebook page, residents like Julie Jodouin, who has lived in the area for nearly 20 years, communicated with others about how the noise has steadily worsened, disrupting the peace that once defined their neighbourhood. Kelly Vachon, another resident, described how the constant noise near the Park’n’Ride on Eardley Road and Boulevard des Allumettières wakes her family at all hours, despite their efforts to block it out. Krista Beaupre shared a heartbreaking story with the community about losing her cat to a reckless driver on Wilfrid-Lavigne Boulevard, a story that resonated with others as they discussed their growing concerns over safety.

In response to these complaints, the City of Gatineau has provided detailed information on the classification of these boulevards and the measures currently in place to address the issues. Wilfrid-Lavigne Boulevard, south of Des Allumettières, is classified as a secondary artery and is therefore not eligible for traffic calming measures, according to the municipal policy. However, the section north of Des Allumettières is considered a main collector and could be eligible for such measures if justified. The city has already installed flexible bollards to slow down traffic on this section, though vertical deflections, such as speed bumps, are not possible due to the road’s designation as a priority route for emergency services.

Statistics provided by the city show that between 2021 and 2024, there were no official complaints related to noise on these boulevards, despite the outcry from residents. However, concerns about speeding and violations of the Highway Safety Code were frequently reported. In 2023, the Gatineau Police issued 535 fines on Wilfrid-Lavigne Boulevard, and over 300 fines have already been issued in 2024.

The Gatineau Police have been active in patrolling these areas, responding to non-urgent requests and conducting traffic operations to address the issues raised by residents. The city has implemented several initiatives to combat excessive speeding, including lowering speed limits in residential areas to 40 km/h, running awareness campaigns, and installing radar speed signs.

Despite these efforts, many residents feel that more needs to be done. Some have suggested further measures, such as increased police presence, stricter enforcement of speed limits, and the installation of additional traffic calming devices. The city, however, has indicated that no new traffic calming measures are currently planned for Wilfrid-Lavigne Boulevard.

The City of Gatineau reiterated its commitment to improving public safety and maintaining quality of life for its residents.