A decade after it was first announced, work on the federal portion of the Mercier Bridge is coming to an end.

On Friday June 24, construction crews begin the final phase of work in which they will replace 78 concrete panels on the bridge deck.

During this time only one lane will be open in each direction, and the lanes will only be 3 m wide.

Other construction work takes place this weekend. 

During the first phase of work, when crews have closed the access ramp from Chateauguay, trucks will be prohibited from coming into town via the Mercier during the morning rush hour and from heading to the South Shore from 3 until 7 p.m.

During the second phase of work the access ramp from Montreal and La Prairie will be closed, and all truck traffic towards Montreal will be prohibited.

The Bridge Corporation does not yet know when the second phase of construction will begin.  

Meanwhile the provincial portion of the bridge -- the flatter section that crosses most of the St. Lawrence River, is still in need of repair. 

The provincial government has not decided when construction on that will begin.