Six weeks after work began to solidify the cracked concrete slab on the Île-aux-Tourtes bridge, a third lane is now open at all times on the road structure. 

While this is good news in itself, motorists will still have their work cut out for them: for safety reasons, dynamic traffic management will not be possible. As a result, two lanes will be accessible to Vaudreuil-Dorion, and only one to Montreal, at all times, on Monday January 15. 

Last December, the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable was forced to close additional lanes on the bridge deck after a crack several meters wide was detected. Work to repair the crack has now been completed, after a six-week ordeal for motorists. 

Mitigation measures

Over the next few months, work will continue on reinforcing the girders in order to reopen other traffic lanes on the bridge. Until a new lane is opened, several mitigation measures remain in force, including improved commuter train service and use of the shoulder of Highway 40 West by buses.

Existing free travel on certain train and bus services will remain in place for the month of January. It has been announced that advantageous fare discounts will be available thereafter, but these have not yet been determined. 

Tolls on Autoroute 30 will continue to be suspended eastbound, between 5:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., Monday to Friday, once a third lane has been reopened on the Île-aux-Tourtes bridge.