Ville Marie Could Open Soon

Transport Quebec engineers say workers chipping concrete in the tunnel got too close to the ceiling support beam. (CBC)

"We Are In Control Of Our Infrastructure": Transport Minister -- CTV

Quebec Transport Minister Sam Hamad confirmed to CTV Montreal Wednesday that preliminary analysis on the Viger Tunnel has shown the collapse Sunday was a result of work related to the job site.

Hamad said the 25-ton chunk of concrete that fell was not related to the state of the infrastructure, referring to the incident as an "accident."

He said the tunnel is being closely analyzed.

Read more ....

My Comment: Fortunately the tunnel is going to be open soon. What is unfortunate is that this near disaster is now being used by the mayor to justify tolls on bridges and the need for more money.

Sighhh .... Transport Quebec has a budget of $4 billion per year .... that is far more than enough money to insure that what happened at the Ville Marie should not have happened at all.

Auditor Criticizes Transport Quebec Contracts

The Parti Quebecois has demanded that Transport Minister Julie Boulet quit after her department was criticized in an auditor's report. (Jacques Boissinot/ THE CANADIAN PRESS)

From CBC:

Quebec's auditor general, Renaud Lachance, isn't satisfied with the level of due diligence by the province's Transport Department when it comes to doling out contracts.

In a report tabled in the national assembly Thursday, Lachance said some contracts his office examined were not properly vetted.

Read more ....

Update: Quebec Transport Department slammed in audit -- CTV

My Comment: Another example of poor and/or non-existent oversight from our elected officials.

Photo Radar: What You Need To Know

A photo radar/red light camera tower shines in th sun at the corner of Notre Dame and University Sts. Monday, May 18, 2009. The units go into service Tuesday. Photograph by: John Mahoney, THE GAZETTE

From The Montreal Gazette:

Lights, cameras, action. Photo radar is upon us.

Since Tuesday, there are 15 photo radar and red-light cameras in Quebec, six of them in the Montreal region.

How do they work?

Nicole Ste. Marie, spokesperson for Transport Québec, explains the procedures:

Where are these photo-radar cameras installed?

Red-light cameras:

- University St. at Notre Dame St.

- Ste. Catherine St. at Iberville St.

- Décarie Blvd. at Paré St.

Read more ....

Champlain Bridge Repairs To Cost $212 Million, But New Span Under Study

Champlain Bridge. Photograph by: File photo, The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

Even as it starts a 10-year, $212-million repair job on the Champlain Bridge, Ottawa will study the idea of building a new bridge and tearing the current structure down.

A new bridge - with a price tag of about $1 billion - could open the door to a light-rail transit system linking Mont-real and Brossard.

Federal Public Works Minister Christian Paradis announced the bridge repair work and the study yesterday.

Read more ....

More Ville Marie Headaches Coming

Like last summer, major repairs on the Ville Marie expressway will mean major headaches for motorists. Repairs on the eastbound lanes start this weekend. Photograph by: Marcos Townsend, Gazette file photo

From The Montreal Gazette:

MONTREAL - Motorists can expect delays on the eastbound Ville Marie autoroute, starting this month, as Transport Quebec prepares for major roadwork on the downtown access road.

The Ville Marie overhaul, which picks up from where it left off in 2008, includes repairs to overpasses, underpasses and highway joints.

The eastbound artery will be shut down completely overnight Friday, Saturday and Sunday, between the Atwater exit and the entry to the Ville Marie tunnel.

Read more ....

Drivers Can Remove Winter Tires After Midnight

Between December 15 and March 15, winter tires are mandatory on all taxi and passenger vehicles registered or rented in Quebec. (CTV File Photo)

From CTV:

As of midnight tonight, Quebecers can remove the winter tires from their cars.

By law, winter tires are required on all taxi and passenger vehicles that are registered or rented in Quebec, between December 15 and March 15.

The amendment to Quebec's highway safety code making winter tires mandatory was passed in September 2008.

Read more ....

New Road Plan For Montreal Airport To Take Off This Spring

The new configuration of the Dorval Circle will include eight overpasses and roads to give drivers direct access from Highways 20 and 520 and the airport. (Transport Quebec)

From CBC:

Old Dorval Circle to be replaced with eight new overpasses and new roads.

Drivers trying to get to and from Montreal's Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport will have a smoother ride in the near future, say government officials who announced a $224-million reconstruction project Monday.

The project, which is being paid for by federal, provincial and municipal governments, involves the complete overhaul of the troublesome Dorval Circle plus the addition of new, direct links between the airport and Highways 20 and 520.

Read more ....

Update: Dorval Circle to get $224 million facelift -- CTV