The Decarie Blvd. underpass near Vendome train station -- which has been closed since the autumn of 2011 -- will not be re-opening until next April, at the earliest.
The original contractor responsible the project was Louisbourg Construction — a company that has since been cited for fraud and corruption.
According to Montreal's new bylaws regarding companies that it can do business with, the contract had to be thoroughly analyzed by the provincial regulator, Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF).
This process was supposed to begin in April, however it only actually began in October.
"The Charbonneau commission recommendations and the involvement of the AMF are designed to limit or eliminate collusion and corruption as much as possible," said newly-elected CDN-NDG borough mayor Russell Copeman.
A new contractor will only be chosen this spring and work will begin after that. This means that it's likely that only one or two lanes will be open by the end of April, with the full five lanes to open later in 2014.
"People can't have it both ways,” said Copeman. “We cannot say we need to have work done quickly, do it tomorrow, and then not agree that we need to examine the companies doing those contracts."
But, business owners in the area are feeling the effects of the road’s closure.
“I'd say the last 18 months has been a very tough road for us especially the lack of traffic through this construction site,” said Yves Mouchaca, manager of Play it Again Sports.
Copeman recognizes that people are annoyed with lengthy delays, but says the choice is to be annoyed now at delays, or to be ripped off by corrupt companies.
"It's frustrating for everyone, but in the current climate we're doing the best we can," he said.
The street underneath the train crossing was closed in 2011 as the railway was shifted slightly, and the road was lowered and widened.
Work still to be done includes rearranging the five-way intersection of Decarie Blvd., De Maisonneuve Ave. and Upper Lachine Rd.
Once Decarie Blvd. reopens, the St. Jacques St. bridge over the Decarie Expressway will be demolished and rebuilt slightly lower -- in order to accommodate the revised Turcot Interchange.
