Morning Gridlock on the Laviolette Bridge Amid Structural Warning
This morning, commuters faced an unexpected bottleneck at the Laviolette Bridge in Trois‑Rivières, as the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility (MTQ) discovered a concerning anomaly that led to the closing of half the lanes in both directions. I was on the north side around 8:30 a.m., and the scene was chaotic: traffic backed up past Laviolette Street on Highway 40 West and stretched all the way to Pointe‑du‑Lac on Highway 40 East. I couldn’t help but tense up behind the wheel, inching forward as brake lights flickered ahead.
Just after 8 a.m., the congestion had already begun creeping southbound, notably affecting Highway 30 and Highway 55 up to Boulevard des Acadiens. The same story unfolded on the south shore, with traffic grinding to a halt and creeping along avenues like des Jasmins. It quickly became clear: this wasn’t the usual morning slowdown—it was a full-blown gridlock driven by a safety issue.
What struck me most was the immediacy of the MTQ’s response. Overnight repairs had concluded without incident, and even the temporary counterflow had been lifted. Yet, by dawn, engineers spotted a structural irregularity on the bridge. Roxanne Pellerin, the MTQ’s spokesperson, confirmed that a “preventive one-lane closure in each direction” was enacted while assessments were underway, though she couldn’t say when normal traffic flow would resume.
The bridge rehabilitation project, launched in 2023 and expected to cost over $260 million, focuses on replacing the central concrete slab. While much of that work has been concentrated during nights and weekends to minimize commuter impact, today’s development proved that even carefully planned operations can encounter surprises. Officials from the MTQ and its contractors are now analyzing the anomaly to understand its severity and map out next steps.
As I sat among the go‑stop rhythm of vehicles, I noticed the growing frustration: commuters who normally cross the River St. Lawrence in minutes found themselves delayed for much longer. Some drivers honked impatiently; others scrolled their phones, resigned to gridlock. Despite the irritation, many understood it was necessary—safety has to come first when there’s any sign of structural risk.
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Right now, we’re dependent on updates from the MTQ. They’ve confirmed the lane restrictions are in place for an undefined period. That means we could be navigating single‑lane traffic for days still, and that uncertainty is fueling both anger and caution among regular users. Yet the overwhelming mood is one of reluctant acceptance: a bridge is only as safe as its soundest part, and if that means delays while engineers weigh in, that’s a trade‑off most people seem willing to make.
So here we are in mid‑June, stuck in morning congestion on the Laviolette, each of us hoping the MTQ's analysis wraps up swiftly—ideally today—with either lane reopenings or at least a clear timeline. Until then, patience, extra travel time, and alert traffic planning remain our daily companions.
Major Delays as Emergency Closure Hits Laviolette Bridge
It was a rough start to the day for commuters in the Trois-Rivières region, as an unexpected issue on the Laviolette Bridge caused a significant traffic nightmare this Wednesday morning. The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility took the urgent decision to shut down one lane in each direction due to an anomaly discovered during routine inspections.
Now, picture this: you’re on your usual morning route, coffee in hand, maybe even running a little late, and suddenly, you're stuck in a wall of traffic that stretches all the way back to Pointe-du-Lac on Highway 40 East and to the Laviolette Street exit on Highway 40 West. And it doesn’t end there—the south shore wasn’t spared either. Congestion on Highway 30 and Highway 55 quickly built up all the way to Boulevard des Acadiens.
What’s especially frustrating is the lack of clarity surrounding the anomaly. According to Roxanne Pellerin, spokesperson for the MTQ, overnight work had concluded as expected and the temporary contraflow setup had been removed. But shortly after, something triggered a full stop on the fast lanes in both directions. At the time of reporting, no specific details had been released about the nature of the problem or how long the partial closure would last. The ministry simply labeled the shutdown as indefinite for now.
To make matters worse, this isn’t just a one-off inconvenience. The Laviolette Bridge has already been the site of intense overnight and weekend work since 2023, part of a major $260 million project to replace the central deck slab. While those long-term repairs are crucial, today’s surprise anomaly has put extra strain on a region already familiar with frequent detours and lane reductions.
This morning’s chaos once again highlights how vulnerable a major artery like the Laviolette Bridge is to even minor disruptions. It’s a vital link between the north and south shores of the Saint Lawrence River, and any closure—even partial—has ripple effects throughout the entire regional road network. Motorists, many already used to adapting their routes, were left with few options this time around.
As of now, all we can do is wait. The MTQ says they’re actively investigating the situation and will provide updates when more is known. But until then, if you're planning to cross the Laviolette Bridge, you'd be wise to pack your patience—and maybe an extra podcast episode or two.
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