A year after man struck and killed by train, Montreal West residents want better safety

A year after a man died after being hit by a train in Montreal West, residents say the crossing is dangerous for pedestrians.

They add that their calls for change are not being answered.

Resident Joanna Duy said she’s nervous every time she has to cross the intersection.

“I think this whole area is a nightmare,” she said.

The train tracks are at the intersection of Sherbrooke Street West and Westminster Avenue North. There are only three train barriers.

“There are trains coming in two directions, so somebody might see a train go by and they may think, ‘Oh, great. It’s safe to cross,’ but there might be another train coming in the opposite direction,” said Duy.

While there is no pedestrian crosswalk along the eastern side of Sherbrooke West, people still use it.

“There’s absolutely zero signage to tell them that,” said Duy.

The lack of signage is what concerns many area residents.

On April 4, 2024, a 71-year-old man was sent to the hospital in critical condition after he was struck by a commuter train. He later died.

The death was ruled an accident, and the coroner did not provide any recommendations.

Duy said, however, that the man’s death should have been a wake-up call.

“Nothing has been done in the year since that man’s death to make this intersection or this level crossing any, safer for pedestrians,” she said.

Duy’s been trying to get answers from the municipality of Montreal West. The municipality did not respond to a CTV News request for comment.

“And that’s what’s so frustrating,” said Duy.

Duy wants to see safety measures put in place before someone else gets hurt.