Listen to this article
Estimated 3 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.
The City of Mercier in Quebec’s Montérégie region is launching a petition to pressure the Quebec government to tackle chronic traffic congestion on Route 138, an issue officials say has frustrated residents for years.
The campaign comes ahead of this fall’s provincial election as the city seeks public commitments from candidates to address congestion on St-Jean-Baptiste Boulevard, the section of the major highway that runs through Mercier.
“You can have almost 20 to 25 minutes to go three kilometres, so it’s a lot. It’s jammed,” said Mercier city councillor Philippe Drolet. “People get frustrated and they try to deviate on other roads, so that makes traffic elsewhere.”
Traffic routinely backs up during the morning and afternoon rush hours in both directions, creating delays for commuters and pushing drivers onto residential streets.
Members of city council are asking local businesses to sign a petition, which calls on the province to implement improvements to traffic flow and take over ownership of Ste-Marguerite Boulevard. (CBC News)
Drolet says there are several relatively inexpensive measures Quebec could implement in the short term, including synchronizing traffic lights on St-Jean-Baptiste Boulevard and adding a traffic signal on Boulevard Salaberry, a nearby road, to improve traffic flow.
“We have solutions that, on a short term, don’t cost much, but it will really help out,” Drolet said.
In a series of videos released online, the city is also asking the province to assume ownership of the entirety of Ste-Marguerite Boulevard, which runs parallel to Route 138.
Officials argue the move would shift costly maintenance responsibilities to Quebec. The city currently shares ownership of the road with the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility.
CBC reached out to the Transport Ministry for comment. A spokesperson said they would have a response early next week.
The mayor of Mercier, Lise Michaud, speaks in a series of videos posted online by the city. She discusses how the long-term plan for Route 138 could including widening the road or adding turning lanes at key intersections. (City of Mercier)Over 90% of residents say highway traffic a major issue
A recent city-commissioned survey found more than 90 per cent of residents identified congestion on Route 138 as a major issue.
For many residents, the delays have become part of daily life.
“The traffic has been kind of hellish through the 138,” said Mercier resident Francis Lachaîne. “Which is why I’m often guided towards the country road that’s parallel to this.”
Others say the congestion is affecting the city’s appeal.
“One of my friends wanted to buy a house and she said no to Mercier because of the traffic,” resident Vanessa Brin said.
Businesses along the busy corridor are also dealing with the consequences.
Lisa Burton, director of Garderie Babynou, said heavy traffic has created safety concerns for parents trying to enter and exit the daycare parking lot.
“We’ve received multiple complaints from the parents saying that they find it dangerous,” Burton said.
Councillor Philippe Drolet said Mercier deserves transportation infrastructure that reflects nearby growth. (CBC)
The city says traffic pressures are expected to increase as the region grows and more heavy trucks use the corridor. Officials have also raised concerns about pedestrian safety with a new high school planned along St-Jean-Baptiste Boulevard in the coming years.
“We’re not Montreal. We’re the last city of the CMM,” he said, referring to the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal, which represents about 80 Montreal-area municipalities.
“You want to go home and you want to relax and you come here and it’s all jammed up. It’s not fun.”