Closure of Pellerin Road: CPEG requests intervention from the mayor of Pontiac
Closure of Pellerin Road: CPEG requests intervention from the mayor of Pontiac
The Gatineau Park Protection Committee is asking Pontiac Mayor Roger Larose to intervene in the case of the closure of Pellerin Road.
According to the committee, the National Capital Commission (NCC) recently installed a barrier at the intersection of Lac-La-Pêche Road and Pellerin Road, preventing regular vehicular traffic on this road, which has been used by local residents for over 90 years.
The committee states, however, that vehicle access remains possible to reach a private residence located at 4 Pellerin Road, while other users are excluded.
The Gatineau Park Protection Committee maintains that the barrier was installed without public consultation or prior notice. It is asking the mayor to determine whether the Municipality of Pontiac was consulted and what communications took place with the NCC.
The group also raises concerns about access for emergency services, including firefighters and paramedics, in the event of a fire or medical emergency at the residence in question.
The committee also notes that access to Pellerin Road had, in its view, revealed problems surrounding the reconstruction of the Pellerin Bridge in 2020, particularly issues related to Blanding’s Turtle habitat. The group states that the matter was the subject of a federal investigation and was referred to federal prosecutors.
The CPPEG is asking the NCC to explain the reasons for the closure and believes that less restrictive solutions, such as seasonal access, speed limits, or controlled access hours, could have been considered.
The situation became more tense after the barrier was allegedly forced open on August 30th. The committee condemns the vandalism but believes this incident also demonstrates the level of frustration in the community.
The CPPEG is therefore asking Mayor Roger Larose to intervene quickly with the NCC to find a solution and restore reasonable local access to Pellerin Road before another confrontation or a more serious incident occurs.
