New Highway 440 West overpass to open soon in Laval: ‘Travel safer for road users’

The new overpass leading directly from Highway 440, westbound, to Highway 15, northbound is set to open in the coming days.

Improving safety and traffic flow at the site was top of mind after a deadly pileup left four people dead in August 2019.

Construction of this new access ramp began in 2023 and is part of the vast project to secure the interchange.

“Laval residents can breathe a sigh of relief, because the long-awaited overpass will soon be open to traffic. After the serious pile-up in 2019, it became necessary to improve the layout of this area,” said Christopher Skeete, Minister for the Economy, Minister responsible for the Fight against Racism and Minister responsible for the Laval region.

“I am truly proud that we made the only decision that was necessary,” he added. “Which was to make this area safer.”

“Everyone will remember a few years ago, the tragic accident that happened on the corner of the 440 and the 15,” said MNA Christopher Skeete. “We saw fireballs following an accident that was really devastating.”

“What we saw was the loss of life,” he added. “Today I remember the people who died there, including two retired police officers.”

The victims of the 2019 crash were Sylvain Pouliot, 55, of Terrebonne; Robert Tanguay Laplante, 26, of Laval; and Gilles Marsolais, 54, and Michele Bernier, 48, a couple from Montreal Michel Bernier, Gilles Marsolet, the former police officers, Sylvain Pouliott and Robert Tanguay Laporte.

“Now of course, we know that the person responsible is currently being charged, I won’t be commenting too much on that,” said Skeete. “But what’s important to remember is that when we decided to finally do something to secure this intersection, we realized that we had to do something.”

“I think we’re all going to be a little bit safer today,” he added. “And it’s indeed a very nice day.”

The truck driver involved in the deadly Highway 440 crash in 2019, was found guilty of criminal negligence causing death.

The verdict was handed down at the Laval courthouse in February of this year.

Jagmeet Grewal was driving a 53-foot trailer, loaded with merchandise destined for the U.S. and failed to stop before rear-ending several cars at 100 kilometers and hour.

The collision, caused a major fire, injured 15 people and resulted in the deaths of four people.

The prosecution argued Grewal should never have been driving a truck in the first place because his trucker permit had been revoked.

The 57-year-old had lost his Class-1 licence in 2014 after he was involved in a major collision two years earlier, causing him to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

After several attempts to get his licence back, the SAAQ, approved the request.

This project, which included various redevelopments, required investments of $133 million.

Costs were initially estimated at $189.4 million.

“Thanks to the actions taken by our government to accelerate certain projects, this major project was able to be completed more quickly and at a lower cost,” said Geneviève Guilbault, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility.

“The new developments, including the overpass leading directly from one highway to the other,” she added. “Reduce weaving and queues, making travel safer for road users.”