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Kahnawake council proposes morning closures for major south shore commuter route

Click to play video: 'Kahnawake safety commission recommends reducing traffic on Route 207'
Kahnawake safety commission recommends reducing traffic on Route 207
WATCH ABOVE: A report from Kahnawake's safety commission recommends the closure of Route 207 to non-local traffic and trucks during the morning rush hour starting summer 2017. As Global's Billy Shields reports the road is a crucial connection between Highway 30 and the Mercier Bridge – Mar 24, 2017

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake has published a report that calls for the closure of a major commuter shortcut — Route 207 — between Highway 30 and the Mercier Bridge.

For years, Châteauguay commuters looking for a quick way onto the Mercier Bridge have used Route 207.

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Currently, trucks uses it to get materials on-island as an alternative due to the Turcot Interchange construction.

Starting in September, the band has signalled it may begin to close the road to non-local traffic during the morning rush hour in an effort to ease its residents’ commutes.

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“Sometimes, it takes more than half an hour to go one kilometer,” said Kahnawake public safety commissioner Ron Skye.

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Skye said the council is supposed to meet with Transports Quebec officials to discuss the situation in May.

The ministry told Global News it is looking into the proposal, which could have an impact on the Turcot, and involves a potential showdown between the province and the band.

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The council will meet in May to discuss the issue further.

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