When will work on Ile-aux-Tourtes Bridge end? It's 'complicated,' says Transport Ministry
The discovery of major cracks on the Île-aux-Tourtes Bridge is causing trouble for off-island commuters, with traffic down from three to two lanes in each direction.
According to Transport Quebec, it's difficult to say when conditions on the bridge will return to normal.
"It's really complicated for us to give a precise date of when we will finalize the work," spokesperson Sarah Bensadoun told CTV News.
Bensadoun said it's possible repair work will still be required after the project's contract ends in 2025.
"Since this is an infrastructure that is pretty old, we have to maintain it and we have to continue doing work."
The nearly 60-year-old bridge, part of Highway 40, connects the Island of Montreal to the Vaudreuil-Dorion suburb.
Drivers say what used to be a quick commute is now a slow and frustrating drive.
Jeanna drives a school bus for children with disabilities. She asked that her last name be omitted for job-related reasons.
"The traffic has become just an absolute nightmare. We're stuck for like 45 minutes," she said.
She said the adjustment has been difficult for her passengers.
"It's hard enough for any children, but these children, obviously, they have disabilities, and they can't fully comprehend traffic," she said. "They get frustrated and upset because they want to go."
Lane changes were first implemented in June of 2022. Until recently, a third lane was alternatingly opened in one direction and then the other, depending on the time of day.
Jeanna hopes the bridge can return to this system, rather than keeping two lanes open in both directions at all times.
In an effort to ease congestion, last weekend, the Transport Ministry established a reserved lane for buses leading up to and heading from the bridge.
But the reserved lanes don't apply to the bridge itself, meaning buses must merge into regular traffic in order to cross.
And Jeanna says many drivers aren't following the new rule.
"Nobody's respecting it," she said. "And if you honk your horn at them, they look at you and they laugh at you. I've even been given the finger."
She wants the province to better enforce the reserved lane with signage and ticketing.
NEW BRIDGE IN THE WORKS
Transport Quebec spokesperson Bensadoun noted that the government plans to start work on a new bridge this year.
She said the project will take at least five-and-a-half years to complete.
In May of 2021, the Île-aux-Tourtes Bridge was placed under temporary emergency closure after its reinforcement bars were damaged by drilling work.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
Mother's Day movies that pull at ALL the heartstrings
This Mother's Day Weekend, take a look at some of the most emotional movies inspired by moms.
Putin replaces Russian defence minister in rare cabinet shakeup
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin began a Cabinet shakeup on Sunday, proposing the replacement of Sergei Shoigu as defence minister as he begins his fifth term in office.
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.
Wildfire near Fort McMurray more than triples overnight, several evacuation alerts remain in place
The fire burning near Fort McMurray grew from 25 hectares to 5,500 hectares over the weekend.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.