Transport Quebec has confirmed that building has began for the brand new Île-aux-Tourtes bridge.
The information comes after extra cracks had been discovered on the present span late Friday night, which pressured authorities to shut 4 of the six lanes. One lane is open in every course.
“We were conducting regular interventions,” defined ministry spokesperson Sarah Bensadoun. “We were removing dilapidated concrete on the surface of the bridge, and we noticed more extensive damage on the bridge slab.”
Traffic was lowered to a few lanes only a week earlier after a crack was found. Transport Quebec didn’t present extra details about the constructing of the brand new bridge, however says the recently-discovered damages on the outdated one aren’t a shock.
“Île-aux-Tourtes bridge is an old structure,” Bensadoun identified. “It is at the end of its lifespan.”
To assist mitigate visitors issues attributable to the brand new lane closures, off-island residents can now use the Exo commuter trains or buses without spending a dime. That’s along with different measures already in place.
“On Highway 30, there will be no toll for the next few weeks,” she mentioned, cautioning that although they’re additionally engaged on different mitigation measures, those that drive ought to plan rigorously since this new one-lane configuration will probably be in place for weeks. She says they’re ready to work by the vacations if mandatory.
This new hiccup on a 50-plus-year-old span has off-island residents west of the bridge fed up.
“On the Île-aux-Tourtes I think it’s around 80,000 cars and trucks every day,” Vaudreuil-Dorion mayor Guy Pilon famous. “So it’s major, major.”
Pilon fears the scenario could worsen earlier than it improves, leading to drivers utilizing different bridges and highways, clogging them up.
“Making other people mad or sad or whatever, and maybe they will decide to not go to Montreal anymore,” he added, suggesting that the issues on the Île-aux-Tourtes additionally create issues for the City of Montreal.
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Construction begins on new Île-aux-Tourtes bridge, Transport Quebec confirms