Bridge closing will split small Quebec town in half

Quebec's Saint-Lin-Laurentides is about to become a town divided literally.

On Monday, the main bridge over the Achigan River will close down for repairs, and won't reopen for four months.

One resident of the town, 80 kilometres north of Montreal, said the 30-second drive over the bridge will turn into a half-hour drive to get from one section of town to the other.

However, Steve Fuoco said it's a sacrifice most people are willing to make.

"We look at it in a view that we just have to adapt ourselves for the next few months, and then we'll be over and done with it for a long time," he said.

Mayor Andr Auger said that at least he doesn't have to worry about it collapsing while it's being fixed. He said he has been making the sign of the cross every time he uses the bridge.

Work on the bridge started in April, and until next Monday one lane is still open.

The mayor will hold a public meeting Tuesday evening to answer questions about the closure.