Construction begins for express bus corridor on Pie-IX Boulevard

Are you ready for more roadwork, Montreal?

Pie-IX Boulevard in the city’s east end will be under construction for at least three years as of Monday morning.

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After nearly a decade of discussions and promises, the major artery will finally get an express bus corridor that is physically separated from the rest of traffic.

The bus rapid transit system will span 11 kilometres along Pie-IX Boulevard from Pierre-de-Coubertin Boulevard near the Olympic Stadium to St-Michel Boulevard in Laval. It is expected to have 17 stops.

The City of Montreal says that once the express lane is up and running, it will serve up to 70,000 commuters every day.

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The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) said several bus routes will be detoured as of Monday to accommodate the construction.

The 139 Pie-IX North, 439 Express Pie-IX North and the 41 Quartier Saint-Michel/Ahunstic East will be diverted to surrounding streets.

However, the 355 Pie-IX bus and southbound buses will remain on Pie-IX Boulevard.

The construction is expected to last until 2022.

— With files from the Canadian Press