Major repair work on the Lafontaine Tunnel this weekend has forced Transports Quebec to close the northbound lanes from the South Shore.
One of the three lanes bound for the South Shore is also closed.
The closure is to allow transport Quebec to remove the last concrete blocks, called paralumes, from the roof of the tunnel.
Paralumes are the same sunscreens that fell from the top of the Viger Tunnel last summer.
Since then, Transports Quebec has been removing them from tunnels around the city, focusing this weekend on the Lafontaine Tunnel.
“Last December we had to remove a section of the paralumes in an emergency a few days before Christmas. We've secured all the paralumes, but we knew that they needed to be removed, so that's exactly what we're doing,” explained Transports Quebec spokesperson Caroline Larose.
The lighting system in the Lafontaine Tunnel is in much better shape than the Viger Tunnel, meaning it’s a slightly less complicated job, said Larose.
“In the Viger Tunnel, we had to replace the lighting system before removing the paralumes, whereas here, because the lighting system is newer, it can do the job – but still we need to improve it,” she said. “We're working on it and overnight closures are expected to come.”
Partial overnight closures will last until February, when work on the tunnel is completed.
those travelling from the South Shore this weekend are urged to take advantage of increased service to the metro’s yellow line, as well as more than 500 free parking spots at the Longueuil metro station.
Three lanes will be open on the Jacques-Cartier Bridge for Montreal-bound drivers.
Northbound lanes from the South Shore going under the tunnel are set to reopen at 5 a.m. Monday.
Two other locations in the city where similar repair work needs to be done is along Highway 13, as well as the Ville Marie Tunnel, said Transports Quebec.
No word yet on when either project will begin or be completed.
