Some downtown lane closures go into effect Monday, as work begins on a pedestrian tunnel running below de Maisonneuve Blvd.
The construction is a part of phase two of the city's light rail network.
When complete, the tunnel will connect the existing McGill Metro station to the future McGill REM station.
As a result, you can expect lane reductions on two major downtown streets starting today and last until spring 2019.
Map with the affected areas high-lighted. These closures and detours will be in place until Spring 2019. There may also be occasional temporary closures or detours throughout construction of that pedestrian tunnel. All buildings in the area will remain accessible. #CJAD800 #MTL pic.twitter.com/7sDbwtMVRi
— Saif Kaisar (@StaySaif) January 14, 2019
"It's going to be a problem," warns CJAD 800's traffic expert, Rick Leckner.
"[The project] will definitely enhance mobility, certainly pedestrian mobility, and public transit," he adds. "But as usual, a price that has to be paid."
There will only be one lane on de Maisonneuve Blvd. between Robert-Bourassa Blvd. and McGill College Ave.
Meanwhile only the northbound lane on the east side will be open to motorists on McGill College Ave. between Stre-Catherine St. and de Maisonneuve Blvd.
You won't be catching a lucky break as a cyclist either. The bike path between Robert-Bourassa Blvd. And McGill College Ave. will be blocked, cyclists will reroute through President-Kennedy Ave. #CJAD800 pic.twitter.com/YnjfHuqhs1
— Saif Kaisar (@StaySaif) January 14, 2019
And cyclists won't be catching a break either — the bike path on de Maisonneuve Blvd. will be diverted onto President Kennedy Ave.
"This work is going to go on until 2022, so I suspect this is the first of a number of closures that'll affect that area," said Leckner.
The REM-info website warns that the construction work will be noisy and generate dust.
The first stations are expected to open by 2021, and the entire light-rail network should be completed by 2023.
The project is expected to cost $6.3 billion.