Exceptional measures for an exceptional visit. The authorities will have no choice but to completely close Route 138 for 12 hours, from Boischatel to Beaupré, in order to ensure the safety of Pope Francis during his visit to the basilica on July 28.
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• Read also: You will have to get up early to see Pope Francis
The Ministère des Transports (MTQ) unveiled the road obstructions for this special day on Monday.
If other options have been found for motorists, road hauliers and vacationers, they will have to temporarily take their troubles patiently.
On Thursday, July 28 between 3 a.m. and 3 p.m., it will be impossible to drive on boulevard Sainte-Anne (route 138), in both directions, between côte de l’Église, in Boischatel, and rue des Montagnards, in Bowsprit. Only emergency vehicles will be allowed to circulate.
- Listen to Karine Gagnon at the microphone of Vincent Dessureault on QUB radio:
“These obstacles force us to make a bypass, but the bypass will be accessible only to light vehicles,” said MTQ spokesperson Émilie Lord.
Heavy trucks, recreational vehicles, light vehicles pulling a trailer or trailer, buses and minibuses will either have to wait for the end of the obstruction or go through the Saguenay to reach the Côte-Nord or Charlevoix.
“Plan your trips,” she advises. Moreover, the MTQ has entered into communication with the transport companies so that they can provide a plan B.
Photo Louis Deschenes
Father Scott Katzenberger, rector of the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré sanctuary, Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix of the Archbishop of Quebec, Jacques Bouchard, mayor of the city of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Émilie Lord, spokesperson of the Ministère des Transports du Québec and Ann Mathieu, spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec all spoke at a press conference on the roadblocks that will be in effect during the Pope’s visit to the Sainte-Anne-de-Basilica. -Bowsprit.
Security
The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) will ensure the security as well as the movements of the sovereign pontiff and the dignitaries during the event.
For about a month, SQ agents have been on the ground, going door to door to prepare for the pope’s visit. All merchants and more than 1,000 residents were personally interviewed.
“We are aware of the disruption caused to residents of the sector during this day, but it is only a matter of a few hours,” said Ann Mathieu, spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec.
There will obviously be a vast security perimeter that will be erected on the grounds surrounding the place of worship in order to control access to the site.
The SQ works in concert with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which is responsible for the national coordination of the Pope’s visit to Canada.
Photo Louis Deschenes
Tourists in front of the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré basilica on Monday.
Gathering event
The choice of the sovereign pontiff to go to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is not insignificant. The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is a favorite spot for members of the First Nations, who have great admiration for the saint.
This also ties in with the theme of the journey of reconciliation with Indigenous communities.
Every year, many people visit the mythical place during the novena which started on Sunday and which will continue until the feast of Saint Anne, July 26.
“Pope Francis could not have chosen a better place,” said Father Scott Katzenberger, rector of the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré shrine.
According to the mayor, the influence of the visit of the Holy Father will have an inestimable impact on the number of tourists who will want to visit the basilica in the coming years.
“We will be able to show the whole world how beautiful and welcoming our city is,” exclaimed the mayor.
The closure of Route 138, even for a short time, will certainly have an impact on the trucking industry.
“It’s a logistical headache. There will be repercussions on fuel deliveries or in the food sector. There are not 36 solutions to a complete closure of a road, especially in times of labor shortage, ”explains Marc Cadieux, president and director of the Quebec Trucking Association (ACQ).
At this point, it is difficult to say whether the drivers will choose to wait half a day or go through the Saguenay.
“There are several scenarios. The predictable allows us to manage more adequately, but we also have to plan for traffic jams of just over 12 hours,” adds Mr. Cadieux.
– With Jean-Francois Racine
Businesses will close, others will adapt
The Pope’s visit is forcing many merchants to get creative in juggling daunting logistical challenges.
Several service companies have chosen to simply close their doors on this unique day.
This is the case of the LAVUE.CA optometry clinic located near the basilica. Appointments have been moved and the store will be closed.
Same thing for the Caisse Desjardins branch on Sainte-Anne Boulevard near the place of worship.
A spokesperson confirms, however, that the cashier counter in Dufournel will be open and that advisers will be available to answer calls remotely.
Archival photo
Jacques Bouchard, Mayor of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
continue to serve
Other owners have no choice. They will be open to respond to a potentially vulnerable clientele.
The Uniprix Morin-Foisy Pharmacy, located in the same area, will be open. However, it will not be possible to make deliveries.
“Someone who needs their medication and who hasn’t thought of the Pope’s visit,” cites Caroline Foisy, associate owner pharmacist, as an example.
“We have several clients who live nearby and who can come on foot,” she explains.
The few restaurant and convenience store managers met by The newspaper in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré have all confirmed that their establishments will be open on July 28.
The traffic in the area of the basilica could even allow them to “do golden business”. Some spoke in particular of adding staff to meet the demand.
Sleep on site
On the other hand, with Route 138 closed, the workforce could struggle to get to work.
The McDonald’s restaurant has planned the coup and the owner has taken drastic measures since the employees will sleep in a house belonging to him very close to the business.
“I’m going to sleep there with my son and employees,” confirms Annie McGrath, assistant manager, who will be faithful to her position with her team on July 28.
Some workers and healthcare professionals will have a wristband giving them early access to work.
The mayor of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Jacques Bouchard, says that everything has been done to reduce the inconvenience during the Pope’s visit.
He even asked citizens to restrict their movements.
Blocked 12 hours
July 28 between 3 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Heavy vehicles, RVs and light vehicles towing a trailer:
Closed access between Côte de l’Eglise, in Boischatel, and Rue des Montagnards, in Beaupré.
Detour via the 175 and the 172
138 west
Between the Montagnards, in Beaupré, and the coast of the Church, in Boischatel
Detour via Montagnards, Côte Sainte-Anne, Avenue Royale, Boulevard des Chutes and the Félix-Leclerc highway
138 is
Between rue Paré, in Château-Richer, and des Montagnards, in Beaupré
Detour via rue Paré, Avenue Royale, côte Sainte-Anne and rue des Montagnards