West Island residents seeing “orange” over construction cones

There is no mistaking trying to drive around the West Island.

A massive construction blitz is underway in many suburban cities and towns making it very difficult for motorists to get around.

“Today is terrible,” one driver told Global News Thursday morning.

Pointe-Claire, Kirkland, Dollard-des-Ormeaux and many other municipalities have multiple construction projects happening simultaneously.

READ MORE: Huge construction blitz underway in Pointe-Claire

The City of Pointe-Claire has budgeted $21.8 million and is receiving federal and provincial grant money to rebuild an unprecedented amount of roads.

“There are grants that are available from the provincial and federal governments and we are doing a lot of projects. Projects that have to be done,” Mayor Morris Trudeau told Global News.

READ MORE: Construction at Woodland crossing in Beaconsfield highlights ongoing transit issues

Kirkland is spending a record amount, $7.9 million, this year to repair its roads. There are also projects, such as the new sewage and water pipes being installed on Brunswick Boulevard, that are being paid for by Montreal.

“We’ve got a philosophy in Kirkland, the council wants there streets to be well maintained,” Michel Gibson, the Mayor of Kirkland, said.

READ MORE: Work on de Salaberry Boulevard joins list of DDO construction

In Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Hydro-Quebec crews are tearing up St-Jean Boulevard which is causing lane reductions and creating lots of rush hour traffic.

Businesses are also struggling along this primary road. The manager at Chenoys tells Global News the restaurant is losing $15,000 to $20,000 a month while the construction continues.

“This summer the business really went down,” Packiea Rajah said.

The construction blitz occurring across the West Island will likely continue through late fall and will start up again next spring as many more roads are in need of repair.