Île-aux-Tourtes bridge — Maintenance and reconstruction

Commissioned in 1965 and located in the axis of the Autoroute Félix-Leclerc (Autoroute 40), the Île-aux-Tourtes bridge, that links the island of Montréal (village of Senneville) to the Montérégie region (city of Vaudreuil-Dorion), undergoes regular maintenance work. To ensure its long-term viability, a new structure is now being rebuilt to the north of the existing bridge. Nearly 81,000 vehicles use the existing structure every day, including around 11% trucks (2023 data). 

The reconstruction project has the following objectives:

• Make sure that people and goods can move along the A-40 axis between the island of Montréal and the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region.
• Promote active and public transportation.
• Enhance the infrastructure and make sure it blends into the landscape.
• Preserve the integrity of the surrounding environment.

The new bridge will include:

• three traffic lanes per direction
• a multi-use pathway
• wide shoulders suitable for bus use only

 See a cross-section view of the future Île-aux-Tourtes bridge (JPG 589 Kb)

Work has been underway since fall 2023. The first structure is scheduled to open in late 2026 with five lanes available and dynamic management during peak traffic hours. The second structure will open in 2027 and will provide three lanes in each direction at all times.

The multi-use trail will be completed in 2028. Demolition of the existing bridge is scheduled for completion in 2029, with final work to be completed in 2030.

Here are the main projects and their current status, by sector:

Work on the A-40 in Senneville:

• Reconstruction of the A-40 westbound – completed.
• Reconstruction of the A-40 westbound – in progress.
• Construction of drainage system – in progress.

Work on the A-40 in Vaudreuil:

Reconstruction of the A-40 westbound – in progress.

Work on the Lac des Deux Montagnes:

• Installation of foundation piers for the new bridge – completed.
• Construction of piers – in progress.
• Installation of steel beams – in progress.
• Installation of prefabricated slabs on the bridge – in progress.

Five out of six lanes are open on the existing bridge. Every effort is being made to keep as many lanes open on the bridge as possible. However, the Government will not compromise when it comes to the safety of road users. Therefore, if inspections reveal damage that requires new lane closures on the structure, it will not hesitate to act quickly and proceed with these closures.

Additional traffic disruptions, particularly at night and on weekends, may be necessary from time to time, for the maintenance work and the construction of the new bridge.

Three lanes are available in each direction on the A-40 on the bridge approaches.

Exit 41 (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, boulevard des Anciens-Combattants) of the A-40 eastbound is now relocated to the bridge exit, at chemin de Senneville.

The eastbound entrance from chemin de Senneville to the A-40 is permanently closed. The public will be able to access the autoroute via the next entrance at rue des Pins.

On the existing bridge, heavy vehicles are prohibited from using the right lane in either direction. Overweight vehicles remain prohibited at all times on the structure.

Regular structural inspections are carried out, enabling the identification of repair work that needs to be prioritized.

The work in progress consists of repairing and reinforcing beams and slabs. Shoring was added at specific points beneath the bridge to support the structure. This work keeps this major corridor open to traffic until the new bridge is completed.

The following measures are in effect to mitigate impacts on traffic due to the closure of a lane on the Île-aux-Tourtes bridge. These measures will remain in place until further notice.

Additional train departures

The following departure additions and route extensions to the exo 11 Vaudreuil/Hudson train line are available:

• Train No. 12: departure from Hudson station at 6:13 a.m.
• Train No. 16: departure from Vaudreuil at 7:30 a.m.
• Train No. 18: departure from Hudson station at 7:33 a.m.
• Train No. 21: departure from Lucien-Lallier station at 4:40 p.m., with route ending at Hudson station
• Train No. 27: departure from Lucien-Lallier station at 6:05 p.m., with route ending at Hudson station

Temporary parking spaces at Vaudreuil Station

A temporary park-and-ride area has been set up at Vaudreuil Station, near rue Émile-Bouchard. It has nearly 125 spaces, which are in addition to the permanent park-and-ride spaces at the station.

Bus-only shoulders

The use of bus-only shoulders will remain allowed on certain sections of the A-40, eastbound and westbound. This measure is authorized only for school, exo and STM buses, subject to compliance with the conditions stipulated in the Highway Safety Code for traffic on a shoulder. 

Additional bus departures

More than 100 additional bus departures per day have been added in the La Presqu’Île area:

• 40 departures on the A-40 express line between Vaudreuil-Dorion and the Côte-Vertu metro station
• 34 departures on lines 7 and 10 between Vaudreuil-Dorion, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and Pointe-Claire
• 22 departures on line 35 in the L’Île-Perrot area
• Additional backup buses on the Express 40 line between Vaudreuil-Dorion and the Côte-Vertu metro station