Bridge demolition underway

BY ELYSE AMEND

elyse.amend@transcontinental.ca

Demolition work on the south end of the Galipeault Bridge began on Monday, forcing many motorists traveling between the island of Montreal and Île Perrot on Highway 20 to change their driving habits. The bridge will undergo a $98 million reconstruction over approximately the next two years.

Over the weekend, the Quebec transport ministry moved traffic from the southern portion of the Galipeault Bridge to the northern portion, making two lanes available in the busiest direction during rush hour, and one lane in the opposite direction.

Last Thursday, Vaudreuil MNA Yvon Marcoux and Jacques-Cartier MNA Geoffrey Kelley, along with executive officer of the Agence métropoltaine de transport (AMT), Joël Gauthier, announced the beginning of the work and asked motorists to change their driving habits during the construction period. Rather than simply taking the Île aux Tourtes Bridge on Highway 40 instead of the Galipeault, they asked motorists to consider carpooling and public transportation to reduce the amount of traffic.

The transport ministry, the AMT, and the CIT Presqu’île, have taken a number of initiatives to encourage people to use public transportation. For example, residents living west of the island of Montreal can pick up one free pack of six commuter train tickets for Zones 4 and 5 at the Île Perrot, Pincourt/Terrasse-Vaudreuil, Dorion, or Vaudreuil train station between 6 and 9 a.m. from June 2 to 6. The 12-month pass for Zones 4 and 5 will also be available to off-island residents at the cost of 10 months beginning at the end of the summer.

The construction, which is to be completed by 2010, will add a third eastbound lane to the Galipeault Bridge. The shoulders will be widened, a new walking and bicycle path part of the Green Route will be added, and a lookout point for pedestrians will also be built.

The bridge will be closed completely at night and on weekends at times during the construction. Motorists should keep their eyes open for electronic signs along Highway 20 posting details about closures. The transport ministry’s Inforoutiere website, www.inforoutiere.qc.ca, also has more information.