• From 1:00 AM to noon, two one way lanes eastbound towards to Montréal
• From noon to 1:00 PM, lane configuration change.
  Traffic expected to stop.
• From 1:00 PM to midnight, two one way lanes westbound towards Châteauguay
• From midnight to 1:00 AM
  Traffic expected to stop.

On weekends, one lane will be opened in both directions on the eastern struture.

On other words, every weekend from Friday midnight to Sunday midnight there will be one lane in both directions (facing traffic).

I wish to remind everyone that if you have questions tied to MTQ lane closures or any other subject touching MTQ related decisions, to contact them directly or to consult 511.

Thank you!

Preparatory Night Work: Complete Closure of Ramp 2

In order to start the rehabilitation work on ramp 2, some preparatory work will require the complete closure of ramp 2 from Friday, March 25 at 9 PM until Sunday, March 27 at 5 AM. During this period, road users will be asked to take a temporary detour route, which will lead them to Highway 207, then to Highway 138, to eventually access the bridge by the Chateauguay access ramp.

We invite you to view the following maps showing the detour routes:

Detour road at night to La Prairie

Click on the picture to enlarge.

Detour road at night to Montréal

Click on the picture to enlarge.

Partial Closure of Ramp 2 (day and night) for approximately 3 Months

Afterwards, starting on Sunday March 27 and for nearly three months, one lane will be open at all times in each direction, to either access the Honoré Mercier Bridge from Highway 132 or to reach La Prairie from the bridge’s exit. The partial closure of this ramp is necessary to carry out the roadwork.

This closure will enable the complete replacement of this access ramp’s deck using prefabricated concrete slabs. Please recall that this access ramp is the last ramp scheduled to be rehabilitated as part of this contract; namely the first of two major construction contracts within the context of the most important bridge rehabilitation project ever to be undertaken in Canada.

Also, please note that the width of the traffic lanes on ramp 2 will be reduced during this roadwork. Starting on Monday March 28, the upstream and downstream lanes will be reduced to approximately 3.3 meters, and this, throughout the duration of the work. Trucks exceeding this width will be asked to use the detour route accessible via the intersection of Highways 207 and 138.

Ramp 2 repair – spring 2011

Click on the picture to enlarge.

The Ministère also wishes to remind the population of the Honoré-Mercier westbound Bridge’s restriction implanted since December 29^th: all trucks are forbidden on both lanes of the bridge in the south shore direction. This decision was taken because of the installation of New Jersey cement barriers to ensure the protection of the bridge’s guardrails. Access to the bridge is still permitted for buses, emergency vehicles and the bridge’s snow removal vehicles. The two proposed detours for trucks are the Champlain Bridge or the Monseigneur-Langlois Bridge. It should also be noted that the speed limit on the westbound Honoré-Mercier Bridge is reduced to 50 km/h.

Eastbound traffic (to Montréal) remains normal.

Over the next few days, the MTQ will proceed with reinforcement work on the westbound structure (to Châteauguay), in order to proceed as soon as possible with the installation of rigid New Jersey crash barriers to ensure the safety of the guardrails of the upstream structure. Due to the bearing capacity and out of a concern for safety, the MTQ must prohibit westbound heavy transport on the Honoré-Mercier Bridge. The MTQ wishes to reassure the users, specifying that traffic flow must never take precedence over the safety of motorists and that the structure remains safe.

The two lanes to Châteauguay remain open to traffic. Access to the bridge is still permitted for motor coaches, emergency vehicles and bridge show removal vehicles.

This measure will remain in force for an indeterminate period. The MTQ is currently studying solutions that would allow restoration of heavy transport.

The proposed detour for heavy carriers is the Champlain Bridge or the Monseigneur-Langlois Bridge, via Autoroute 20 westbound. It should also be noted that the speed limit on the Honoré-Mercier Bridge to Châteauguay is reduced from now on to 50 km/h.

Finally, replacement of the guardrails of the westbound structure is scheduled for the second phase of major repair of the structure (Contract B). This phase should begin next spring and end in 2013.

Eastbound traffic (to Montréal) remains normal.

Please note that the section of the Bridge, where the guardrails are to be secured, is on Transports Québec jurisdiction. For more information, please contact Québec 511.

Please take note that the width of the available lane will be of 3.3 metres.

The ministère des Transports reminds the public to be careful on the roads and to plan their trips with the Québec 511 Info Transport. The public just have to dial 5 1 1 or to visit the www.quebec511.gouv.qc.ca.

Please note that access from Airlie Street will remain open during this period and that the width of the traffic lane will be reduced to 3.3 metres. Trucks exceeding this width will be invited to take an optional route. We would like to remind you that these closures allow for important repairs to be made on the metal structure of the Mercier Bridge.

The initial planning, namely the complete closure of the upstream part of the bridge, is no longer necessary given the progress of the work accomplished weeknights and mornings. Please note that the Airlie entrance will be open during the construction period.

Note that the progress of work is related to the temperature and the contractor will reopen as soon as his work is completed to minimize disruption to motorists.

Traffic will be very heavy on the Mercier Bridge towards the South Shore during construction. Motorists are invited to avoid this sector, when possible. Please also note that the width of lanes will be reduced during the work to 3.3 metres. Trucks exceeding this width will be invited to take an optional route. We would like to remind you that these closures allow for important repairs to be made on the metal structure of the Mercier Bridge.

First, on weeknights and in the morning, one southbound lane out of two will be closed according to the following schedule:

• from Tuesday October 26, 9 PM to Wednesday, October 27, 10 AM
• from Wednesday October 27, 9 PM to Thursday, October 28, 10 AM
• from Thursday October 28, 11 PM to Friday, October 29, 10 AM
• from Friday October 29, 11 PM to Saturday, October 30, 10 AM

We would like to remind you that this weekend, the entire upstream part of the bridge will be closed to traffic, with one lane open in each direction (one Montreal-bound lane, and one South Shore-bound lane) from Friday, October 29^th, at 11 PM to Monday, November 1^st, at 5 AM.

Remember that access to the Mercier Bridge by Airlie Street towards the South Shore will be closed during the construction period this weekend, but will remain open on weekdays during construction. Traffic will be very heavy on the Mercier Bridge during construction. Motorists who take this route are invited to avoid this sector, when possible.

The Champlain, Victoria, and Jacques Cartier Bridges are the alternatives that can be used over the weekend. Please also note that the width of lanes will be reduced during the work to 3.3 metres. Trucks exceeding this width will be invited to take an optional route. We would like to remind you that these closures allow for important repairs to be made on the metal structure of the Mercier Bridge, each day.

On weekends, the entire upstream part of the bridge will be closed to traffic, with one lane open in each direction (one Montreal-bound lane, and one South Shore-bound lane) for the entire weekend, from Friday at 11 PM to Monday at 5 AM. This major work will occur again over two weekends, since planned work over the course of last weekend was cancelled due to unfavourable weather conditions.

• During the day and at night, Friday, October 22^nd to Monday, October 25^th
• During the day and at night, Friday, October 29^th to Monday, November 1^st

Remember that access to the Mercier Bridge by Airlie Street towards the South Shore will be closed during the construction period this weekend. Traffic will be very heavy on the Mercier Bridge during construction. Motorists who take this route are invited to avoid this sector, when possible. The Champlain, Victoria, and Jacques Cartier Bridges are the alternatives that can be used over the weekend. Please also note that the width of lanes will be reduced during the work to 3.3 metres. Trucks exceeding this width will be invited to take an optional route.

We would like to remind you that these closures allow for important repairs to be made on the metal structure of the Mercier Bridge, each day. Over the weekends, cars will be permitted to travel on the downstream part of the Bridge, with one lane open in each direction, in order to enable the completion of major necessary work without adding any weight to the upstream part of the bridge.