Traffic headaches: Highway 40 to close as REM demolishes rail bridge
Drivers can expect more traffic headaches while infrastructure work is done for the new Réseau express métropolitain (REM).
Highway 40 will be closed between the Highway 13 (exit 60) and St-Jean Blvd. (exit 52) in both directions, including the service roads, from 6 p.m. on Nov. 3 until 5 a.m. Nov. 5. Closure of the service lanes begins as of 3 p.m. Saturday.
However, local traffic for stores and businesses in the area around the highway will be allowed.
Highway 40 is being closed so the railway bridge over the highway near Henri-Bourassa Blvd. West., can be demolished.
The railway bridge is a section of the Doney Spur railway line, which belonged to Canadian National (CN).
“Acquired as part of the REM project, this rail corridor will be used for the REM’s future tracks, thus minimizing expropriations and the impacts on the built heritage,” the REM stated.
“Once the bridge is demolished, construction work for the REM can begin in this area, which will eventually be the meeting point for the REM’s two branches, one of which will lead to the West Island and the other to the Montréal airport. The construction of the elevated portions of these branches above the A40 will require occasional work on the A40 in the coming months.” The exit ramps from the Highway 13 North and South to Highway 40 West will also be closed during this period. Drivers are advised to use alternative routes, such as Highway 20, for east-west travel. “It is also strongly encouraged to concentrate its car travel during the day of Saturday before 6 p.m.,” the REM said. “During this major weekend closure, every effort will be made to complete the work as soon as possible so that lanes may gradually be reopened.” Information on the progress of the operation will be on the REM Twitter account @REMgrandmtl.jmeagher@postmedia.com