NOTRE-DAME-DE-GRÂCE – Construction crews are gearing up for one of the biggest weekends of the Turcot Interchange project.
The demolition of the Saint-Jacques overpass is one of the most vital steps of the road works.
It will force the closure of the Decarie Expressway between the Turcot Interchange and Sherbrooke Street, as well as a number of entrances and exits, from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday.
The detour: a 20 km journey to Highway 13.
“The Saint-Jacques overpass is one of the most important in the Turcot project,” said Transports Quebec spokesperson Nomba Danielle.
“The overpass is used a lot. We have up to 20,000 vehicles using it everyday.”
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Tara Chisholm, who lives in NDG, faces the daily grind driving up and down the Decarie Expressway.
“I have to leave 45 minutes early every morning and it takes me about an hour to get home,” she said.
“There is no normal anymore.”
The demolition of the overpass is a necessary step in the massive rebuild of the interchange.
Long delays are coming at a time when traffic should be a breeze.
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“This is the quietest time of year in traffic,” said Global News traffic reporter Debbi Marsellos.
“It is technically the best time to do it, but it’s not ideal for tourists or residents who are on staycations.”
Marsellos explained closures of the Ville-Marie for Saturday night’s fireworks, and ongoing work on the Bonaventure will cause even more backups.
“If you don’t have to be in the Decarie area, it’s good to stay away,” she said.
“Some people live there, they’re stuck there. So, give them a break.”
Chisholm plans to stay home this weekend and, with construction of the Turcot lasting until 2020, likely many more weekends in the future.
“Once one thing ends, another will start. That’s the nature of the beast,” she said.