Highway 25 closed for at least 3 months, says Quebec transport minister

QuebecTransport Minister LaurentLessardsaid the craterthat swallowed a chunk of Highway 25 last week is likely to keep that stretch of road in the Lanaudire region closed for as long as threemonths.

• Highway 25 blocked in both directions after road collapses in Lanaudire

On April 13, a sinkholeseven metres deep and nine metres wide opened up, causing the highway's partial collapse and forcingmotorists to takea 5.5-kilometre detour nearSaint-Roch-de-L'Achigan, about 50 kilometres north of Montreal.

Lessardblamed heavy rains for washing out two culverts which were in a worse state of degradation than his ministry had realized.

He said it will take about a month to complete the geotechnical and hydraulic studies now underwayand another six to eight weeks to repair and widen those culverts. Under that schedule, it will be mid-summer before the highway will be openin both directions once again.

A second phase of repairs, involving the addition of three more culverts, will be completed in the fall.

"We're going to make sure that everything is done diligently. I am very conscious of the constraints that this will cause to citizens, but we have no choice," Lessard said.

Obey detours, transport officials urge

Transports Qubecofficials said commuters have been ignoring the detour signs and going on the blocked road despite the dangers, out of impatience.

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

The ministry plans to erect more warning signs and have asked police to increase their presence to prevent that from happening.

It also plans to shorten the northbound detour, by linking the exit to the nearest ramp onto Highway 25 north. However, the 5.5-kilometre long southbound detour will remain in place until the first phase of repair work is completed.