Highway A-40 East to Shut Down this Friday Evening for the Entire Weekend

Headline: Montreal's Metropolitan Expressway (A-40) Eastbound to Close for Paving Work, Causing Anticipated Gridlock

The Quebec Ministry of Transport (Ministère des Transports du Québec) has announced that the eastbound section of the Metropolitan Expressway (A-40) will close between Côte-de-Liesse and Laurentians Highway from Friday night to Monday morning, starting at the end of August.

This closure is expected to cause significant congestion for Montreal drivers at the start of September, as all traffic will be diverted to the Côte-de-Liesse service road. The authorities have recommended drivers to use highways 13, 440, 20, or 30 instead of the 40 during the closure.

However, some ramps and entrances will remain unaffected. The Décarie (A-15) North ramp to the Metropolitan East, the Metropolitan East ramp to the Décarie Expressway (A-15) South, the Metropolitan East entrance from Marcel-Laurin Boulevard, the Metropolitan East entrance at Sainte-Croix Avenue, the Metropolitan East entrance from Cavendish Boulevard, the Metropolitan East ramp to the Laurentians Highway (A-15) North, and the Highway 520 East ramp to the Metropolitan East will not be affected by the closure.

Additionally, Exit 71 - R-335 / St-Laurent Blvd / St-Denis Street from the Metropolitan East and Exit 68 - Stinson Street / Rockland Road / Acadie Boulevard from the Metropolitan East will also remain open. The Metropolitan East entrance at Sainte-Croix Avenue is not affected by the closure.

The news release does not specify any alternate routes for drivers during the closure. It is essential to obey the signs in place during the closure and be prepared for potential delays. In adverse weather conditions or operational constraints, the closure may be postponed.

It is worth noting that fines double for speeding in roadwork zones or school zones in Quebec. The authority responsible for the project to close Autoroute 40 between Côte-de-Liesse and Laurentians Highway is the Quebec Ministry of Transport.

No information is provided about potential delays or disruptions to public transportation during the closure. CJAD 800 Radio provides traffic updates every 15 minutes, which may prove helpful for commuters navigating the affected area.

The closure is expected to result from paving work on the Metropolitan Expressway. The Quebec auto insurance board (SAAQ) reported 744 injuries and 11 deaths in roadwork zone crashes in 2024, highlighting the importance of safety during such closures. Drivers are advised to avoid the area if possible.

In summary, the eastbound section of the Metropolitan Expressway (A-40) will close between Côte-de-Liesse and Laurentians Highway from Friday night to Monday morning, causing anticipated gridlock for Montreal drivers at the start of September. Drivers are encouraged to plan their routes accordingly, obey the signs in place, and be mindful of increased fines in roadwork zones.