West Island commuters avoiding Turcot Interchange turn to public transit, risk overcrowding trains

Monday morning seemed to be off to a rough start for commuters heading downtown from the West Island.

The slowdowns started early and by 7 a.m., traffic was crawling through the Turcot yards.

“If you don’t want to find yourself in a huge traffic jam in the next weeks and months, please take public transit,” said Nomba Danielle from Transports Quebec.

READ MORE: Turcot Interchange down to one lane until 2018

Those who regularly take the AMT trains insist that means more people will be squished in already crowded cars.

“It’s extremely full, there’s only standing room,” said Julie Bilmes, who takes the AMT’s Deux-Montagne line.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It's extremely full, there's only standing room," said Julie Bilmes, who takes the AMT's Deux-Montagne line.

“We’re squished to each other.”

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

With more passengers trying to avoid gridlock on the highway, it could make for an uncomfortable ride.

“I don’t think the AMT analyzed the demands of how many people will be using it,” said Bilmes.

“They should have more parking spots and more trains.”

READ MORE: ‘It has a huge impact’: Residents living near the Turcot interchange prepare for the future

Monday marks the first day of a two-year closure on the roads.

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Only one lane will be available for drivers heading from Highway 20 East to the Ville-Marie East.

READ MORE: Saint-Henri residents losing sleep, forced to move because of Turcot Interchange construction

While traffic was backed up, it wasn’t as bad as many had expected.

“Part of it is because of all the publicity it’s been getting,” explained traffic analyst Rick Leckner.

“People have been heeding the warnings.”

READ MORE: Is construction on the Turcot Interchange making Saint-Henri residents sick?

More closures are expected in the next month, including an entire section of the Ville-Marie Expressway.

“As of mid-November, basically what is today the Ville-Marie will be shut down permanently,” said Leckner.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "As of mid-November, basically what is today the Ville-Marie will be shut down permanently," said Leckner.

“There will be two narrowed lanes instead of the regular four.”

About 150,000 vehicles use the expressway every day.