Lousy commute downtown for West Islanders, transport minister warns

Drivers who use the Turcot Interchange are in for a more complicated commute starting in October.

Quebec Transport Minister Laurent Lessard announced Friday that upcomingconstruction work willhinder motorists driving in from the West Island for the next two years.

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The ramp connecting Highway 20 East to the TurcotInterchangewill be down to one lane starting Oct. 14 until 2018.

"It will greatly impact the lives of people every day," Lessard acknowledged.

Highway 720 East will permanently close in mid-November between the Turcot and Atwater exit. Highway 136 will replace it, but will only offer two lanes instead of four to access downtown.

Highway 136 will also be completely closed for a series of 12 to 15 weekends starting in mid-November.

The ramps on Highway 15 North will also be completely closed as of Oct. 7. The closures will allow construction crews to dismantle the rest of the Saint-Jacques overpass.

• Noise levels fromTurcotconstruction concern Montreal public health officials

Use public transit, says ministry

The ministry is telling motorists to opt for public transit insteadduring the ongoing construction work.

"I have to admit there are no alternative routes," Lessard said.

Since 2011, Quebec has invested $200 million to offer different options to the population including more parking spots, additional reserved bus lanes, introducing new bus routes and improving train service.

The work on the Turcot Interchange isn't scheduled to be completed until 2020.

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