The Mercier Bridge, a vital connection between Montreal and Kahnawà:ke, is finally reopening in both directions on Monday morning following urgent repairs to a cracked steel beam over the weekend. The crack, which was discovered during routine maintenance, turned out to be larger than initially thought, measuring about 30 centimetres. Despite the scare, Transports Québec assured the public that the bridge remained safe for drivers throughout the ordeal.
The closure of one lane on the Montreal-bound side since the discovery had caused significant traffic jams for commuters from the South Shore. To facilitate the repair process, one lane in each direction was temporarily closed, further adding to the congestion.
This incident has brought attention to the aging infrastructure of the Mercier Bridge, especially its southbound section constructed back in the 1930s. With approximately 70,000 vehicles crossing the bridge daily, concerns about its structural integrity have been reignited.
In response to the disruptions, a temporary Route 744 bus service has been introduced between Châteauguay and Delson to assist commuters in navigating the challenges posed by the bridge closure.
