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Montreal and Quebec will not step in to halt the destruction of an archaeological site where diggers have discovered vestiges of the former Village des Tanneries, or Tannery Village, Mayor Denis Coderre, Quebec Transport Minister Robert Poëti and Culture Minister Hélène David announced at a press conference Sunday.

“One hundred million vehicles use this sector every year,” said Poëti,” adding that it would be impractical to have an open-air archaeological interpretation site near a major highway interchange.

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Coderre noted the vestiges stand in the path of a future sewer collector that will serve 140,000 households.

“Are we able to find the right balance between the protection of heritage, the spreading of knowledge and the creation of this important development that is Turcot? The answer is yes,” the mayor said.

But the politicians said that more than 150 boxes of artifacts discovered on the site — including tools used for tanning leather, bottles, dishes and cutlery — will be preserved and eventually made accessible to the public so future generations can learn about the origins of the leather trade in Quebec.

A committee headed by Sister Madeleine Juneau, director of the Maison St-Gabriel in Pointe-St-Charles, will be set up to determine the future of the artifacts. Poëti said the Transport Department is providing $200,000 in funding and Coderre said funding from the city would also be forthcoming.