As if Montreal traffic isn’t bad enough already, experts say it’s about to get a lot worse, with more time at the wheel for drivers and less patience on the streets. Traffic consultant Rick Leckner says there are several factors that could make this September especially difficult. “We have, as announced, a couple of weeks ago, 42 major road projects in the Montreal area. Plus, we’ve got this major cycling championship which is running from Sept. 20 to 27,” he says. The UCI Road World Championships are expected to bring extra road closures and detours, with sections of arteries like Parc Avenue set to close from Sept. 7 to Oct. 4. Construction on key routes like the Victoria Bridge and the Bonaventure Expressway is another roadblock. Leckner says there are also more cars on the streets. While the construction and slowdowns may be unavoidable, Leckner says the surprise shouldn’t have to be. “Transport Quebec does not maximize technology the way other provinces and states do,” the consultant tells CTV News. “We still have a lot to do to improve how we communicate with motorists via proper technology,” he explains. Until then, Leckner recommends using public transit and planning ahead. He says using navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze could help drivers to save a little more time.
