A calmer summer for the Mercier Bridge

Those who travel across the Mercier Bridge and are accustomed to summers that are complicated by significant construction work will find the summer season far more agreeable this year. There will be no weeks-long lane closure blitzes on the bridge. People will nonetheless have to plan ahead for excursions into the city on Saturdays and Sundays, as a number of hindrances are expected during weekends, on both the provincial and federal sides. The Soleil de Châteauguay received confirmation from the Quebec Ministry of Transport that there would not be any closure blitzes on its side of the bridge during weekdays this summer. For years, drivers have had to deal with the Mercier Bridge having one lane open in each direction due to summertime construction work. It increased traffic considerably in the region, despite the implementation of mitigation measures. This year there will be a reprieve as the four lanes will be accessible from Monday to Friday. Weekend Closures On the provincial side, the MTQ is anticipating “ten or so closures on weekends (from Friday night to Monday morning), in one direction or the other,” to undertake maintenance or repair work during the summer season. During these closures, one lane will remain open in each direction. Work on the On-ramps  As for the federal side, last week Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) announced a major construction site on the Mercier Bridge which will include levelling and paving work on the four on-ramps from the 132 and 138 in Kahnawake. This will generate detours and closures. JCCBI spokesperson Nathalie Lessard told the Soleil de Châteauguay that work will be undertaken on one on-ramp at a time and that there would be no “complete span closures in a given direction,” which should lessen the impacts on traffic. Closures for work on the on-ramps are slated over a period of eight weekends in addition to 15 closures on weeknights. Ms. Lessard specified that the work is “very dependent on the weather,” therefore the work will be only announced a few days ahead of time and will be subject to change. (Translation Amanda Bennett)