Ste- Anne set to build T- intersection

City awards contract that will make Highway 40 exit fully functional SPECIAL TO THE MONTREAL GAZETTE

Ste- Anne- de- Bellevue is finally ready to roll on a T- intersection that will replace two outdated overpasses at Exit 41 off westbound Highway 40 that were closed to traffic about four years ago, creating a traffic nuisance along SteMarie Rd.

Last week, city council awarded Construction Bau- Val Inc. a contract worth just under $ 2.8 million to build a T- intersection near Highway 40 and Ste- Marie Rd. The company had the lowest conforming bid of the submissions that were received in December.

Council also tabled a $ 2- million borrowing bylaw to cover the cost of the project, which will be par- tially funded by Transport Quebec.

All that is needed now to start the much- anticipated construction project is a spring thaw, according to Mayor Paola Hawa.

“We wanted to make sure that as soon as the snow melts, everything is set up so we can start right away and we don’t waste any time,” she said, referring to awarding the construction contract. “There are still a few things that need to get done before construction actually begins, but it was important to not waste any time and be prepared to hit the ground running.”

The plan is to have the T- intersection, which will be governed by traffic lights, completed sometime in the fall, Hawa said.

“There’s no reason why i t shouldn’t get done ( in the fall). If we get started on time, as soon as the snow melts, we should get it done on time,” she added.

Hawa said traffic lights are neces- sary with a T- intersection layout. Although the old Exit 41 highway overpasses didn’t have lights, she doesn’t anticipate the new setup will clog traffic flow.

“I’m envisioning something that will work,” she added.

Preceding the decision to move ahead with the T- interchange, Transport Quebec had reached an agreement to fund about 70 per cent ( or just over $ 1 million) of an initial $ 1.5 million for any replacement project concerning the closed highway exits, with any remaining balance of costs to be shared 50- 50 with the city.

There is still some fine- tuning to determine the final amount to be covered by the province, said director general Martin Bonhomme.

The city will end up paying $ 400,000 plus 50 per cent of the balance over the first $ 1.5 million for the T- interchange.

However, the city will absorb the entire cost of demolishing the closed highway exits, work that may be carried out before construction of the new T- interchange starts in late March or early April, he said, adding the demolition cost is included in the contract awarded last week to Bau- Val Inc.

“The demolition cost is going to be paid by the city, but I still have to look into the difference between what ( amount of the contract) will be paid by the ministry and the city,” Bonhomme said. “Some things still have to be clarified before having a final number for the demolition.”

Last September, a temporary off- ramp on westbound Highway 40 was opened to divert traffic directly toward Anciens Combattants Blvd. and will be used until the T- interchange is operational. Ste- Marie Rd. had been used as a detour following the closing of the Exit 41 overpasses in March 2011.

At the time, Ste- Anne’s former municipal council led by thenmayor Francis Deroo opted to close the highway overpasses, citing perceived safety concerns that were based partially on a 2009 study conducted by the Genivar engineering firm, as well as recommendations by a city engineer.

We wanted to make sure that as soon as the snow melts, everything is set up so we can start right away.