The number of construction sites will be lower this fall on the Greater Montreal road network than last year, but the shadow of the start of work on the Louis-Hyppolyte-La Fontaine bridge-tunnel hangs over and suggests the worst for motorists from November.
Posted at 2:45 p.m.
Mobility Montreal, a group of twenty public and private organizations involved in transport in the metropolitan region, presented Thursday the main obstacles that will affect motorists in this new school year 2022.
At first glance, the portrait seems rather pleasing. Thanks to a summer work season that went well, “only” 36 work sites will take place this fall on the metropolitan road network, compared to 44 last year at the same time.
But the authorities are preparing for major disruptions from November, when the repair of the Louis-Hyppolyte-La Fontaine tunnel will begin, where only two lanes will be kept in the north direction, and only one in the south direction.
Difficult weeks
It will be, without a shadow of a doubt, the “hottest” sector in terms of road congestion, estimated Mobility Montreal spokesperson Louis-André Bertrand.
“At the very beginning, the first weeks, there will be an adaptation. They will have to get used to the area. Will they leave earlier, take public transport? The first weeks from November will be more difficult, after people will find their solutions, ”he explained.
Authorities are relying on public transit in the hope of reducing travel times for road users, which could quadruple in some cases.
The commissioning of several major public transit projects is scheduled for the end of the year. This is the case of the rapid bus service (SRB) on Pie-IX and the South Shore branch of the Metropolitan Express Network (REM).
More details to come…