MONTREAL—Traffic is being diverted around a section of Donegani Ave. in Pointe-Claire after small pieces of concrete fell on Thursday afternoon from an overpass carrying St-Jean Blvd.
Municipal employees confirm that a concrete cover on the underside of the overpass—a thin sheet that was 30 centimetres long by 30 centimetres wide—fell off.
So far, the West Island had been largely spared problems relating to Montreal’s deteriorating infrastructure. The overpass is expected to remain closed through to the end of Friday.
Engineers will need to determine if the falling concrete is indicative of something sick within the concrete before the space below the overpass can be reopened to cars. Workers with jackhammers tested the area around where concrete fell on Friday morning.
“We have an engineering report that states that there is no structural problem with the overpass,” said Pointe-Claire mayor Bill McMurchie. “The work people are on the site at the present time. Around where this concrete fell, other pieces, and I don’t have the number, appear loose and can be removed with a hammer. They are in the process of cleaning up that site.”
Built in 1962, the 50-year-old overpass has been under the jurisdiction of Pointe-Claire for six years. Because the overpass doesn’t cross over the neighbouring 20 highway, it does not fall within the scope of Transport Quebec.
Despite the small size of the falling concrete—described as pebbles or rocks—Pointe-Claire public safety officers were on site Friday morning to direct motorists, cyclists and pedestrians around the structure.
Traffic on St-Jean Blvd. has not been affected.
