Transport Quebec is promising to keep people better informed on what changes lay ahead for the massive Turcot Interchange project.
As 300,000 square metres of concrete are demolished and 45 new structures are built, the work will no doubt be felt by commuters who may have trouble keeping up to date on all the closures and detours.
Lane closures on Ste. Anne de Bellevue Blvd. began last week but many drivers said if it hadn't been for the media, they would not have known about them.
At a technical briefing Monday morning, officials from Transport Quebec were asked if motorists could be better advised of these changes well before they take effect.
“We'll take good note of that. We'll make sure that all the proper communication is made to the media and well in advance,” said Sandra Sultana, assistant director of the Turcot project-build phase for Transport Quebec.
Transport Quebec and KPH, the consortium building the new Turcot, said they have all their plans for Turcot on their website and hold regular meetings with communities most affected.
“We also do inform directly any residents that are impacted by any measures that do affect them,” said Sultana.
Those who follow these changes closely even say it can be overwhelming.
“There's always so much at each meeting, There's always so much coming,” said NDG borough councillor Peter McQueen.
Last week, traffic consultant Rick Leckner said communication and flexibility are musts.
“There has to be constant monitoring to see what's going on and what needs to be changed as quickly as possible,” he said.
Sebastien Marcoux of KPH Turcot agreed.
“That's why we're doing constant monitoring to see that what we put into place actually works,” he said.
The keys to survival until 2020: Plan ahead, try to use public transit, keep informed.
