Champlain Bridge closed heading to South Shore this weekend due to construction

The sun is shining and you couldn’t ask for better weather to go out and enjoy the great outdoors.

But if your plans involve heading to the South Shore for apple picking or a hike on Mont-Saint-Hilaire, be warned: the Champlain Bridge is partially closed.

READ MORE: Driving in Montreal — less than six clicks in 40 minutes

Work crews began replacing 11 expansion joints on the bridge’s deck Friday evening, causing the complete closure of all outbound lanes with two lanes open in the inbound direction.

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Work on the bridge is set to continue throughout the weekend with all lanes expected to be reopened to traffic Monday at 5 a.m.

Here is a complete list of the affected roadways surrounding the bridge:

• Closure of Hwy. 15 South from the Turcot interchange down to Hwy. 132
• Closure of all access ramps to Hwy. 15 South from the Turcot interchange and the Bonaventure Expy.
• Access ramps to Hwy. 15 South from La Vérendrye Boulevard, Atwater Avenue and Gaétan-Laberge Boulevard open with a designated route to access Bonaventure Expy. and Île des Soeurs
• Exit 5 from the Bonaventure Expy. towards Île des Soeurs open with a designated route to access Île des Sœurs

Officials say the work is necessary  to avoid having water creep into cracks between lanes and causing structural damage to the bridge.

READ MORE: A-720 east will close in November as Turcot Interchange project continues

Three other work blitzes are scheduled for the weekends of Sept. 17-18, Oct. 1-2  and Oct. 15-16.