Motorists are being warned to expect major traffic congestion this weekend as a stretch of Aut.40 eastbound, commonly known as the Metropolitan Expressway, will be completely closed for paving work.
The Quebec Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility says the closure will begin at 11:30 p.m. Friday and remain in effect until 5 a.m. Monday between the Côte-de-Liesse Interchange and Aut.15, one of the busiest sections of the city’s highway network.
Montreal traffic will be snarled this weekend
MTQ
The ministry is urging drivers to avoid the area altogether, warning that significant delays are expected throughout the weekend.
Eastbound traffic on Aut.40 will be diverted onto the Côte-de-Liesse service road, while motorists travelling longer distances are encouraged to use Aut.13 north, Au.440 east and Aut.15 south as an alternate route.
Several entrance ramps and exits along the affected stretch will also be closed, including eastbound access from Cavendish Blvd., Marcel-Laurin Blvd. and Sainte-Croix Ave., as well as connections between Aut.40 and 15 in both directions. Eastbound exits at l’Acadie Blvd. and St-Laurent Blvd. will be unavailable during the same time period.
The closure comes during the height of the summer construction season and is expected to affect thousands of commuters, airport travellers and motorists heading to weekend events across the Montreal region. Traffic backups are also anticipated on parallel routes, including Côte-de-Liesse Rd., Décarie Blvd. and nearby arterial streets.
Montreal traffic will be snarled this weekend
MTQ
The ministry said the work is weather dependent and could be postponed, extended or cancelled if conditions warrant.
Drivers are encouraged to check current road conditions through Québec 511 before travelling and allow extra time if their trips cannot be postponed.
The paving work is part of ongoing maintenance on the Metropolitan Expressway, one of Quebec’s busiest highways, which carries well over 150,000 vehicles on an average weekday through the Décarie interchange.