Montreal-bound lanes closed for weekend
Courtesy Google Maps
Kahnawa’kehró:non will have to face yet more roadwork this weekend, with the two lanes of the Mercier Bridge that go towards Montreal being closed from Friday at 11 p.m. to Monday 5 a.m., with more work scheduled for next weekend.
The work being done, which is preventative maintenance and not due to an emergency situation, is a complete repave of that portion of the bridge, and is work that had been originally scheduled six weeks ago but had to be postponed to now due to inclement weather – rainfall means paving is not possible.
“The last time that section of bridge was paved was during the rehabilitation project, and that came to an end in 2018. With the wear and tear on the bridge, keeping the pavement fresh and new reduces issues in the future,” said David Lahache, the transport coordinator for the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK).
He said that while this closure is an annoyance, it is necessary to help maintain the infrastructure properly.
“It’s a lot better than doing patchwork repairs like they do on the other side, because not only is it wear and tear on the bridge, but it’s also wear and tear on your vehicle too, because it’s not a smooth surface at all,” said Lahache.
He added that the decision to completely close the access to Montreal on the Mercier Bridge would be advantageous to road users by limiting traffic jam risks in that area while work is ongoing, and to the workers, who will have an easier time to accomplish the repave this way.
“It’s an inconvenience, for sure, but we’re doing what we can to mitigate the traffic issues here in the territory related to these types of closures,” said Lahache.
Community members wishing to go to Montreal by car can still access the Champlain Bridge, the Ile aux Tourtes Bridge on Highway 40, and the Galipeault Bridge on Highway 20 to get to Montreal.
