Montreal to repair infamous water main, 4-week project will block section of René-Lévesque Blvd.
City is asking drivers to avoid area, use public transit
Montreal has finally received the piece needed to finish repairs to the major water main that burst on Aug. 16, sending a towering geyser into the air near the Jacques-Cartier Bridge.
That means construction will start soon, causing traffic delays around the intersection of René-Lévesque Boulevard and de Lorimier Avenue, city spokesperson Philippe Sabourin announced Wednesday.
He said a six-metre section of pipe, measuring just over two metres in diameter, must be replaced. It's going to take about a month to fix, starting Monday.
"We're asking everyone to avoid this area," said Sabourin.
"Commute by public transit. Bicycle. Any solution would be better than using your car because all the traffic will have to avoid René-Lévesque."
René-Lévesque will be closed east of de Lorimier Avenue during the construction.
"We know it's going to be a rough time for motorists," said Sabourin, describing this construction as emergency work as part of the city depends on the pipe for drinking water.
While drinking water is still getting to the city's east end, Montreal wants to get this project done before winter, in order to reduce costs, he said.
At the time of the incident, the director of the City of Montreal's water department estimated that 40 million litres of drinking water had been lost. Around 50 residences and 20 businesses were flooded in the Ville-Marie borough.