The speed limit has been reduced to 50 km/h while crews replace expansion joints on the elevated portion of the highway at Ste-Croix Ave.
Get used to that metal plate on the Metropolitan Expressway. It’s going to be causing havoc with traffic until at least the fall, Transport Quebec said.
The plate is currently in place on the elevated portion of the westbound expressway at Ste-Croix Ave. near the Décarie Interchange and is being used by crews while they work on replacing expansion joints.
“The plate allows crews to work on the joints without having to close lanes during the day,” said Transport Quebec spokesperson Louis-André Bertrand. “It can be surprising, especially if you’re going faster than the recommended speed limit. That’s why we reduced the speed limit in the area to 50 kilometres per hour while the work is ongoing.”
Bertrand said motorists should be aware and prepare to reduce their speed in the area.
Replacing an expansion joint involves cleaning the surface, removing an existing joint, pouring concrete and allowing it to cure, adding a waterproof membrane, and asphalting the extremities along the new joint.
“It takes between five and six days to replace a joint, and once the work is done on a joint, the plate will be placed somewhere else,” Bertrand said.
Most of the work is being done at night and on weekends. Traffic may be heavy along the service road when the expressway is closed, Transport Quebec said.