Congestion is likely to be even more severe around the Île-aux-Tourtes bridge, which will have to be closed for two weekends over the next three weeks due to construction of the drainage network that will serve the new bridge by 2026.
This was announced by the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility (MTMD) on Thursday. The first closure will take place during the weekend of September 6 to 9, then the second from September 20 to 23.
In a press release, Quebec specified that “this obstruction is required in order to continue the construction of the drainage network of the new bridge and to implement a new configuration on Highway 40 eastbound in the sector.”
In addition, “maintenance works” must also be carried out on the existing bridge, including the installation of a membrane and asphalting. The new bridge is to be partially put into service – with five out of six lanes – in December 2026. The six lanes will then be ready by the end of 2027.
Thus, from Friday evening to Monday morning, Highway 40-West will be blocked between exit 41 towards Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and the entrance from Saint-Charles Avenue. Access to Senneville Road will nevertheless be maintained towards the west for those who need to go to this sector.
As for Highway 40 East, traffic will be impossible between exit 35 towards Vaudreuil-Dorion and the entrance from Boulevard des Anciens-Combattants. The ramp leading from the highway to the bridge will also be closed at the interchange with Highway 30.
The Ministry encourages the public to use public transit as much as possible, as well as to take advantage of the mitigation measures in place. For example, more than 300 parking spaces were recently added temporarily near the Vaudreuil bus terminal and train station. The toll also remains suspended in both directions on Highway 30.
Obstacles for the long weekend
In the shorter term, in the metropolis, several other road obstructions are also to be monitored for the long Labour Day weekend, indicated Thursday the Mobilité Montréal committee, responsible for coordinating major works in the region.
First, Côte-de-Liesse Road will have to be closed in the eastbound direction, between Highway 520 and the Décarie interchange, from Friday to Sunday, due to work surrounding the Royalmount megaproject. Décarie-Sud Boulevard will also have to be closed during the same period in the construction area.
Then, in the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine tunnel axis, partial night closures will be in place from Friday to Monday on Highway 25-North. Only one lane will be available between Sherbrooke Street and the entrance to Notre-Dame Street East. The latter will also be closed.
On the Metropolitan Highway, one of the three lanes will be partially closed at exit 68, towards Stinson Street, from Saturday to Sunday morning. Also, in Senneville, exit 41 will be closed from Friday evening to Tuesday morning on the Highway 40-east corridor.
As for Highway 30, two of the three lanes will be closed on the Madeleine-Parent Bridge in Beauharnois on Saturday and Sunday. Not far from there, in Châteauguay, one of the two lanes of the bridge spanning the Châteauguay River will also have to be blocked.
Between Montreal and Laval, only one lane will remain available on Highway 25 between Henri-Bourassa Boulevard and Highway 440, which includes the Olivier-Charbonneau Bridge, during Saturday and Sunday. Finally, notice to users of the Réseau express métropolitain (REM): the latter will not be available from Friday 11 p.m. to Saturday 8:45 a.m., for an update. Buses will be available during this period.