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A South Shore man is hoping to ease a daily frustration for drivers off the island of Montreal with a new app designed to warn commuters before they get stuck at two notoriously busy bridges.
At the Larocque Bridge and St-Louis-de-Gonzague Bridge, there can be lengthy waits between 10 and 30 minutes where marine traffic regularly forces closures at all hours of the day.
The St-Louis-de-Gonzague bridge lifts for a passing ship. (Chris Kurys/CBC)
Those crossings, which span the St. Lawrence Seaway, can result in lineups of cars spanning into neighbouring municipalities.
That’s a reality Kevin Dubreuil knows all too well. After recently moving to Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague, Que., located about 60 kilometres southwest of Montreal, he found himself frequently crossing the bridge and encountering the same frustrating delays.
Building a better system
With two young kids at home, Dubreuil decided to build that solution himself, in his spare time.
“You have a better estimate of how long it’s going to be lifted, compared to the [Seaway] website, which only tells you how long it has been lifted,” he said.
Kevin Dubreuil shows the app he created to let commuters plan their route around two Montérégie bridges that lift for marine activity. (CBC)
While there are already ways for residents to check bridge status, his app, which was launched in April, takes a more proactive approach. It sends real-time notifications directly to a user’s phone, which can be customized based on their needs.
Residents say they’re accustomed to delays
Locals say they’ve grown accustomed to the unpredictable delays, especially during warmer months when boating traffic increases.
“It’s been 30 years since I’ve been here,” said Sylvain Dufour, letting out a big sigh.
“I’m busy, but I have no choice,” he added, referring to the time he spends in traffic, daily.
Sébastien Gaudreau, a frequent crosser from the nearby municipality of Sainte-Barbe, Que., says he often checks the bridge status details from the St. Lawrence Seaway.
“It’s not very accurate, but you get used to living with that,” he said.
Sébastien Gaudreau, a frequent bridge crosser, verifies the St. Lawrence Seaway website from his car. (CBC)Encouraging feedback from users
The timing of the app comes at the start of boating season and increased marine activity through the seaway. During this period, locks will close at scheduled times each day to accommodate recreational vessels — adding another layer of complexity for drivers trying to cross.
Dubreuil says his app is simple to use, requiring only a phone number to get started. Since launching it, he has already received positive input, and says there’s interest among residents from neighbouring municipalities.
“[It] does benefit a lot of people around here, not necessarily just people from the area,” said Dubreuil.