Traffic congestion reached new heights this week in the area around Industriel, Saint-Jean-Baptiste, and Saint-Francis boulevards in Châteauguay due to changes in the configuration of the construction site there. Many road users are complaining about how the City of Châteauguay is handling the situation, but the city responds that it is a necessary evil in order to modernize the area.
Translation Amanda Bennett
Since October 20, there have been hundreds of comments on social media from exasperated citizens trying to get to the Mercier Bridge during the morning rush hour.
From the early hours of the morning, traffic on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Boulevard stretches from Saint-Francis Boulevard to D’Anjou Boulevard. The single lane available on Saint-Francis Boulevard creates a huge traffic jam.
Trafic on wednesday morning. (Photo : print screen)
On Route 138, this time heading towards Châteauguay, traffic stretches continuously from Saint-Francis Boulevard to the Playground poker club in Kahnawake and even further during the afternoon rush hour.
According to the City of Châteauguay, « the impact on traffic is increasing as the construction site approaches the intersection of Saint-Jean-Baptiste and Saint-Francis boulevards. An adjustment to the lane configuration explains the situation observed on the ground this week. » Added to this is the change from traffic lights to flashing lights at the Industriel and Saint-Francis intersection.
In these recent communications, the city says it is “aware of the inconvenience” and recommends that motorists avoid the area as much as possible, use public transportation or telework, and take Highway 30 and exit 730 at Sainte-Catherine to access the Mercier Bridge.
Trapped
“It would be really nice if the city reviewed the planning of these works, rather than putting the ball back in the citizens’ court. […] Treating citizens like children is not going to solve traffic problems,” said Marie-Eve Bolduc on the city’s Facebook page. Of course, we understand that the construction is necessary, but waiting more than 30 minutes just to leave the neighbourhood via Woodbine Street shows a real lack of coordination. »
Many exo bus users point out that they too are trapped in the construction on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Boulevard, which is located near the terminal. “It took me an hour this morning on the bus (28) just to get out of Châteauguay, and I was on the bus before 6 a.m.! The bus was full with people standing all the way to the front!” lamented Karine Larose, also on Facebook.
Châteauguay police officers have been spotted in the area on several occasions. The author of these lines witnessed them ensuring traffic flow in the afternoon of October 21. “The presence of police officers at these intersections is not systematic,” the city told the newspaper. “They intervene on an ad hoc basis, as needed and at the request of the site manager, to facilitate traffic during a change in configuration, as was the case this week.”
However, the city responded to several citizens on its Facebook page that the police intervention “is intended to ensure the safety and security of the site. The police keep from intervening in traffic flow, among other things, to ensure the safety of workers and not to interfere with operations on the construction site.”[VL1]
Impacts in Kahnawake
The impacts are also being felt in Kahnawake, as local residents try to avoid the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Boulevard construction site to access the Mercier Bridge. Old Châteauguay Road, which leads to Saint-Bernard Road, cannot be used as a detour to access the bridge, according to David Lahache, Transportation Coordinator for the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake. It is closed to outside traffic, mainly due to construction on this artery. “We turned back 300 to 400 vehicles on Monday because there were too many cars coming from Châteauguay. There is a large sign that says: road closed, local traffic only,” said Mr. Lahache.
The Peacekeepers also began closing access to the Route 207 exit in the morning for motorists coming from Montreal who want to avoid traffic and access Highway 30 via Route 207. Too many cars are causing safety issues for residents of Route 207 who want to leave their yards, as well as for school buses. Motorists wishing to access Highway 30 should take the Route 132 exit.
Why this fall?
Many citizens are wondering why this work began in September, a period known for heavy traffic due to the return to school. The city explained that the contract was awarded this summer and that steps were then taken to allow work to begin as quickly as possible. “Fall is often a more favourable time to launch this type of project because it facilitates the organization and mobilization of all stakeholders,” explained Sarah-Maude Geneau, Communications Advisor for the city. The summer period, on the other hand, involves constraints related to vacations and everyone’s availability, which can lead to additional delays.
Next steps
Motorists are not out of the woods yet, as the project is far from complete. The current configuration will remain in effect until the end of October.
After that, until Christmas, work will focus on the intersection of Saint-Francis and Saint-Jean-Baptiste boulevards. Saint-Francis Boulevard will be completely closed between the Notre Futur daycare centre and Saint-Jean-Baptiste Boulevard, and one lane in each direction will be available on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Boulevard.
From Christmas to March 2026, work will be carried out in the area of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste pumping station, which will involve the closure of one lane on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Boulevard in the direction of the Mercier Bridge.
From March to June 2026, the new intersection will be completed with the development of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Boulevard, traffic lights, and the new section of Industriel Boulevard. Once again, one lane will be closed on Saint-Jean-Baptiste toward the Mercier Bridge.
The final phase is scheduled between June and November 2026 with the widening of Industriel Boulevard. At that time, the boulevard will be one-way towards Saint-Jean-Baptiste Boulevard.
This was not thought in to this situation at all from what is happening, we the citizens pay for the mistakes and there is no recourse for the people that make bad decisions.