How to get around partial collapse of Highway 25 north of Montreal

If you're heading anywhere by car this weekend that requires taking Highway 25 through the Laurentians, prepare for a 5.5-kilometre detour near Saint-Roch-de-L'Achigan, about 50 kilometres north of Montreal.

A hole measuring seven metres deep and nine metres wide developed next to the highway there last week, causing a portion of the road to collapse.

The recent warm weather and heavy rain increased the flow of water under the road, leading to the collapse,Quebec's Transport Ministry said.

• Highway 25 blocked in both directions after road collapses inLanaudire

Concerns that more of the road could give way forced the MTQto close the highway Thursday until further notice.

• Highway 25 Southbound is closed between Rang de la Rivire Nord and rang du Ruisseau-des-Anges Sud.
• Highway 25 Northbound is closed to traffic between Exit 44 (R-339) and the next entrance.

MTQ spokesperson Sarah Bensadoun detailed the following detours around the affected area:

• Heading south toward Montreal: Drivers have to go on Route Saint-Philippe (formerly known as route 125) to Rang de la Rivires Sud, which they follow to Rang du Ruisseau des Anges.
  
• Heading north away from Montreal: Take exit 44 on Highway 25 to Route 339. Follow 339 to Route Saint-Philippe, which you take to Route 158.

There's no timeline for when the road will reopen.