Downtown gridlock ahead: Montreal unveils 52 major construction projects for summer

Montrealers should brace for another challenging construction season as Mobility Montréal has announced 52 major roadwork and infrastructure projects set to unfold across the greater metropolitan area this spring and summer.

The largest concentration of construction will hit the heart of the island, particularly downtown Montreal, where several major arteries, tunnels, bridges, and transit corridors will face closures, detours, and reduced traffic lanes through the coming months.

“Downtown Montreal will be particularly busy,” Mobility Montréal warned in its seasonal construction outlook.

Downtown at the center of the disruptions

The downtown core alone will see roughly 15 simultaneous projects within a zone bordered by Highways 15, 25, 40, and 20.

Among the most significant works are:

• Major repairs inside the Ville-Marie and Viger tunnels
• Redevelopment projects on Sainte-Catherine Street West
• Infrastructure upgrades along Saint-Jacques Street
• Work surrounding the Berri-UQAM metro station
• Continued construction tied to the Blue Line metro extension along Jean-Talon East

Several projects will involve watermain rehabilitation, sewer replacement, street redesigns, bike path additions, and transit improvements.

Officials say many interventions will be scheduled during evenings and weekends to limit congestion, though motorists are still being urged to avoid unnecessary downtown trips whenever possible.

Bridges and tunnels under pressure

Travel into and out of Montreal is expected to become increasingly difficult as nine of the 16 bridge and tunnel links connecting the island will undergo work this summer.

Key pressure points include:

• The Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine Tunnel rehabilitation project
• Ongoing maintenance on the Honoré Mercier Bridge
• Repairs on the Jacques Cartier Bridge
• Work around the Île-aux-Tourtes Bridge
• Reconfiguration of the Bonaventure Expressway

On the Honoré Mercier Bridge, only one lane in each direction will remain open during eight separate weekends, with traffic diverted onto temporary counterflow lanes.

Southwest and Airport Sectors Also Impacted

The southwest sector of the island, including LaSalle, Verdun, and the Saint-Pierre interchange, will experience extensive slowdowns linked to road, sewer, and bridge infrastructure projects.

Meanwhile, motorists traveling near Montréal-Trudeau Airport should expect major disruptions around Highways 15, 20, 40, and 520, particularly in Saint-Laurent and Ahuntsic-Cartierville.

Transport officials have already warned of a planned five-day complete closure this fall at the Highway 13 and 520 interchange to allow demolition work.

Aging infrastructure driving the construction boom

According to Quebec’s Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, the unprecedented number of projects reflects the aging condition of infrastructure built primarily during the 1960s and 1970s.

Of the 52 projects announced, 23 are entirely new construction sites this year.

Officials urge public transit use

Mobility Montréal says coordination between municipalities, transport agencies, and government partners aims to reduce overlapping closures and minimize disruptions.

Still, officials are encouraging residents to carefully plan trips and prioritize public transit, cycling, and other active transportation methods during peak construction periods.

The summer roadwork season will also coincide with Montreal’s busy festival and event calendar, adding further strain to already congested corridors.