Candlelight vigil held at site of Tannery Village ruins

Residents gathered for a candlelight vigil Monday evening near the ruins of an 18th-century village that will soon be demolished to make way for the new Turcot Interchange.  

• ​Tannery Village ruins to be demolished, government confirms
• Turcot Interchange construction work unearths 18th century village
• Turcot construction will be closely monitored, Robert Poëti says

Paul Rolland, whose ancestors lived in the area, was among those who turned out for the event.

"It's very sad," Rolland told CBC.

"I wish they could keep the whole thing. But that would mean they would have to redirect the roads... I know it's a very awkward place because of all the roads and infrastructures."

The Quebec government confirmed Sunday the remains of St-Henri-des-Tanneries will be bulldozed to proceed with the construction work. 

The decision has angered some heritage activists, who say the plan for the new $3.7-billion Turcot Interchange should be revised.

The historic site is needed for the construction of a water collector which will serve 140,000 households.

The foundations and walls uncovered at the site date back to the 1700s.

Quebec Culture Minister Hélène David said the province will spend $200,000 to display the 150 artifacts pulled from the site since the work began.