Spreading this summer, a cautionary reminder: "Wagons not the expectation here." (Montreal)
Heading to Montreal this summer? Brace yourself for a bumpy ride! Instead of the breezy drive you might've imagined, the city's issuing a warning—44 major construction projects are about to hit the metropolitan area!
"Avoid the A40 corridor like the plague," advises Sarah Bensadoun, spokesperson for Transports Québec. Extending from the Charles-de-Gaulle Bridge to the Île-aux-Tourtes Bridge, and including Montreal-Trudeau access via Highway 520, this stretch's gonna be a construction zone nightmare.
But that's not all, downtown and the entire island core are also on the hit list. These bustling areas, which see heavy usage, are in for a rough ride!
On April 25th, the city and Transports Québec jointly announced the summer road closures. The Ville-Marie and Viger tunnels, Ville-Marie and Bonaventure highways, Saint-Urbain Street, Henri-Bourassa Boulevard, and Highway 640 will all undergo construction periods, sometimes daytime, sometimes nighttime.
Starting next weekend, there'll be a complete shutdown of the metropolitan highway in the eastbound direction between Highway 15 North and Highway 15 South. Yes, you heard it right! The road's gonna be closed for asphalt work. A second weekend closure is planned for May 24th and 25th, if weather cooperates.
Tourisme Montreal is concerned about this construction chaos. "It's important that the cleanup of abandoned cones is impeccable, that safety is ensured, and that cleanliness is exceptional this year to eliminate as many urban irritants as possible," said Manuela Goya, a spokesperson for Tourisme Montreal.
Remember, these construction projects aren't just about infrastructure improvements—Montreal's also focusing on beautification initiatives. So don't be surprised if you spot some flower boxes dotting downtown!
However, these projects mean traffic delays and disruptions, especially at the three major sites expected to cause severe headaches. Motorists are advised to plan their routes carefully and consider alternative routes when possible to avoid congestion. Detours and traffic management measures will help deal with the situation, but traffic flow may still be affected during peak hours.
So there you have it—summer construction in Montreal promises to be a roller coaster ride. Buckle up and get ready for some orange cones!
[1]: Enrichment Data: On-going projects like the St. Laurent overpass work require long-term lane closures on highways in both directions.
[2]: Enrichment Data: Downtown Montreal is undergoing a greening initiative, which may cause slight traffic delays due to the placement of flower boxes and other beautification efforts.
[3]: Enrichment Data: Approximately three major construction sites are expected to cause severe disruptions, although specific locations were not detailed in recent reports.
[5]: Enrichment Data: The Aqueduct Project in Montreal West involves road closures and repairs. For example, Sherbrooke Street has closures between Brock Avenue and Connaught Avenue, while Broughton Road is closed between Ballantyne Avenue and Brock Avenue. Detours are in place, and traffic is expected to slow down in these areas.
The transport industry in Montreal is gearing up for a challenging summer, with numerous construction projects disrupting the city's transportation infrastructure. Finance plays a critical role in funding these projects, aimed at improving the city's infrastructure and enhancing its aesthetics. Alongside the A40 corridor and major thoroughfares, even downtown Montreal and the island core are slated for construction and beautification, so motorists should be prepared for potential traffic delays and disruptions. Finding alternative routes may be necessary during peak hours to ensure a smoother commute.
){kind=link}