Île-aux-Tourtes Bridge: Reopening 4th lane Monday, complete closure this weekend

Quebec’s Transport Ministry says a fourth lane will be accessible again on the Île-aux-Tourtes Bridge as of Monday but before then, a complete closure of the bridge will be required this weekend to reconfigure the traffic lanes.

“Once this additional lane reopens, two lanes will be available in each direction at all times,” they wrote in a news release.

Complete Closure

Dates: Friday, April 25, at 11:59 p.m., to Monday, April 28, at 5 a.m.

• Complete closure of Highway 40 westbound between Exit 41 – Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue/Boulevard des Anciens-Combattants/Highway 20 westbound/Île Perrot and the entrance from Saint-Charles Avenue.
• Westbound access to Senneville Road will be maintained for local traffic.
• Complete closure of Highway 40 eastbound between Exit 35 – Vaudreuil-sur-le-Lac/Vaudreuil-Dorion/Av. St-Charles and the entrance from Boulevard des Anciens-Combattants.
• The ramp leading from Highway 40 eastbound to the Île-aux-Tourtes Bridge will be closed at the interchange with Highway 30. Users are encouraged to use Highways 20 and 30 instead.

Detour routes will be marked with temporary signage.

“During this closure, the public is encouraged to use public transit and take advantage of the mitigation measures in place,” the Ministry said. “Tolls will be suspended in both directions on Highway 30 to provide an additional option.”

The Ministry also recommends that road users traveling in the area allow additional time to reach their destination.

As for a fifth traffic lane, the Ministry said that it is too early to specify the date for that.

“The Ministry is making every effort to reopen a fifth lane on the bridge as quickly as possible,” they explained. “However, structural work is complex, and the Ministry will never compromise the safety of bridge users.”

Suspension of Dynamic Traffic Management

Upon the return of the fourth lane, dynamic traffic management will be suspended for as long as four lanes are open on the bridge.

“This decision was made because a configuration of three lanes in one direction and one lane in the other poses a greater risk in the event of an incident in the direction where there is only one lane,” the Ministry said.

Deploying tow trucks or emergency services is more complex.

Highlights

• As of April 28, the speed limit on the bridge will be 70 km/h. It was previously 60 km/h.
• Heavy vehicles will be prohibited from traveling in the left lane in either direction.
• Overloaded vehicles are prohibited at all times on the structure.
• All mitigation measures for public transit will remain in effect until further notice. The Ministry is funding public transit mitigation measures, including discounts and expanded service offerings in the area.
• In addition, buses (UAB) are permitted to use the shoulder on Highway 40 eastbound, allowing passengers to avoid some of the congestion on their way to the bridge.