Listen to this article
Estimated 4 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
It’s starting to feel a lot like summer in Montreal, and while the city is known for its year-round display of orange construction cones, expect them to multiply in the coming weeks.
Mobilité Montréal says there are 52 major roadwork projects planned for the greater Montreal area, including 23 new ones, which will make getting around the city more challenging.
The work isn’t limited to the city’s streets, boulevards and highways either.
Nine of the 16 bridges or tunnels linking Montreal to the north and south shores are also on the work schedule, meaning getting on and off the island might get trickier too.
The impacted spans are as follows:
Île-aux-Tourtes Bridge: Maintenance and reconstruction of the bridge.Honoré-Mercier Bridge: Maintenance, paving and steelwork.Samuel-de-Champlain Bridge: Paving.Clément Bridge: Beam repair.Victoria Bridge: Reduced traffic due to work on Bridge StreetJacques-Cartier Bridge: Repair work on joints.La Fontaine Tunnel: Major rehabilitation of the tunnel, repair of structures.Charles-De Gaulle Bridge: Road repair Highway 40.Papineau-Leblanc Bridge: Maintenance.
In a news release announcing the projects, Mobilité Montréal said the work is “necessary to maintain, repair, and modernize essential transportation infrastructure,” but that it will inevitably have an impact on travel.
Some key areas to watch include the zone bordered by highways 15, 40, 25 and 20, with downtown Montreal being particularly affected.
Busy summer in downtown core
Portions of Ste-Catherine Street West will be closed as the city continues with its plan to modernize the major artery. Work is also ongoing to upgrade St-Jacques Street and its underground infrastructure.
WATCH | Downtown businesses catch a financial break from ongoing construction:
Terrace permits will cost less for downtown Montreal restaurants until 2030
The City of Montreal is trying to give business owners in the Ville-Marie borough a break from the financial burden of ongoing construction by reducing the cost of patio fees. It’ll no longer be based on the property value of the building. Instead, there will be a $150 flat fee, plus another fee based on the square footage of the terrace.
In the Berri-UQAM area, various infrastructure work is planned pertaining not only to roadways but urban development in general, including work on lighting and water mains.
The Berri-UQAM Metro station is also getting a new waterproofing membrane and the vault of the Metro tunnel needs to be repaired.
Work will also take place on the Bonaventure Expressway and the Ville-Marie and Viger tunnels.
The southwest of the island
Construction on streets in the borough of LaSalle, and work on the Honoré-Mercier Bridge and the Saint-Pierre Interchange are expected to cause significant traffic disruptions.
Full closures, with traffic flowing in the opposite direction, are planned for several weekends on the Honoré-Mercier Bridge.
Starting in August, nighttime and weekend traffic restrictions will also be implemented on the ramps of the Saint-Pierre Interchange.
WATCH | Montreal mayor advocates for better roadwork management:
Montreal’s mayor wants orange cones out of downtown — and roadwork handled better
Soraya Martinez Ferrada says she wants better co-ordination and the use of artificial intelligence tools to help reduce the impact of roadwork on Montrealers, but some are skeptical any significant change can be accomplished. Saint-Laurent and Ahuntsic-Cartierville areas
Complete closures at night and on weekends are planned for Côte-de-Liesse to rebuild overpasses above Highway 13, Cavendish Boulevard and 43 Avenue.
Paving work is also scheduled for Highway 15 and Highway 40 eastbound.
Full details on the major closures scheduled for the coming months are available on the Mobilité Montréal website.
Plan ahead
In a bid to mitigate the impact on road users, Mobilité Montréal said efforts were made to co-ordinate projects between the various partners to avoid closing multiple key routes simultaneously.
Many construction projects were also scheduled for nights and weekends, when traffic on the road network is lighter.
That being said, the agency is recommending motorists plan their trips ahead of time, check for current road closures on Québec 511, and allow for extra time to get to their destinations.
Use public transit
Mobilité Montréal is also urging people to use public transit or active transportation to get around.
Authorities pointed to several options, from the new REM branches, to the river shuttle services on the St. Lawrence River — with six routes available starting on May 22.
WATCH | Everything you need to know about the new West Island REM branch:
Hop on a tour of the REM’s new West Island branch
The West Island branch of Montreal’s light-rail network is finally opening, featuring four new stations. Here’s everything you need to know about how to navigate the system’s new branch.
The Sociéte de transports de Montréal (STM) for its part said it’s ready to make any necessary adjustments to bus routes affected by roadwork.
“We try to keep the detour as short as possible, of course, to avoid making customers walk too far or change bus stops,” said STM spokesperson Laurence Houde-Roy.
She added customers can use tools on the STM website and the Transit app can help people find relocated bus stops and alternate routes.
But with all the construction planned for downtown Montreal, Houde-Roy said people who can should opt for the Metro when possible.