Montreal commuters and weekend travelers received a welcome Valentine's Day gift with the announcement that no new highway closures are scheduled for the upcoming weekend. Additionally, a previously planned closure of the REM (Réseau express métropolitain) on Sunday has been officially cancelled after work calendar adjustments rendered the disruption unnecessary.
Parking Changes at REM Stations
However, not all transportation news brings relief. For drivers utilizing the Pierrefonds-Roxboro or Sunnybrooke REM stations, significant changes took effect on Friday. The previously free paid sections of these parking lots now require payment, with daily rates set at $10.29 and monthly passes available for $105.50. Passes can be purchased through the indigoneo.ca website.
Parking Capacity Details
The Pierrefonds-Roxboro station offers 262 paid parking spaces alongside 639 free spaces. Among the free spots, 75 are specifically reserved for carpooling vehicles and 15 for electric vehicles. Similarly, the Sunnybrooke station provides 147 paid parking spots and 347 free spaces, including 51 designated for carpooling and 10 for electric vehicles.
These changes follow similar activations of paid parking at other REM stations in Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Laval, and Deux-Montagnes over recent weeks.
Ongoing Transportation Disruptions
While the weekend brings some relief, numerous infrastructure projects continue to affect Montreal's transportation network:
Highway Impacts
- Highway 10: Eastbound Exit 3 for Carrie-Derick Street remains permanently closed as part of the Bonaventure Expressway reconstruction project.
- Highway 19 (Papineau-Leblanc Bridge): Two lanes operate in each direction between Montreal and Laval, with partial or complete nighttime closures continuing until the end of 2026.
- Highway 40 (Île-aux-Tourtes Bridge): The bridge now operates with five lanes total—two toward Montreal, two toward Vaudreuil-Dorion, and a fifth lane that alternates direction based on rush hour schedules.
Major Street Closures
- Jean-Talon Street: Blue Line métro extension construction has closed sections, forcing bus detours for routes 141, 188, and 372 onto Bélanger and Everett Streets. A temporary shuttle bus (No. 814) operates along Jean-Talon and Bélanger Streets.
- Côte-Ste-Catherine Street (Outremont): Westbound traffic between McEachran Avenue and Davaar Avenue remains closed until late March for emergency electrical work.
- Berri Street (Ville-Marie): Major work at Berri-UQAM métro station has closed Berri Street between Ste-Catherine and Ontario Streets, with de Maisonneuve Boulevard closed between St-Denis and St-Hubert Streets until November 2027.
- Pie-IX Boulevard (Mercier—Hochelaga-Maisonneuve): Only one lane operates in each direction between Pierre-de-Coubertin Avenue and Notre-Dame Street due to SRB Pie-IX extension work.
- St-Urbain Street (Ville-Marie): The overpass above the Ville-Marie Expressway remains closed for renovation until the end of 2026, though pedestrian access continues.
Public Transportation Adjustments
The Berri-UQAM station work has necessitated significant public transit changes. Traffic detours route vehicles via St-Hubert, Atateken, St-Urbain, or Ontario Streets, or René-Lévesque Boulevard. Cyclists face diversions to Atateken and Ontario Streets. STM bus routes 30 and 50 have been shortened to avoid the construction zone, while express bus 427 has been suspended entirely. Additional departures have been added to the 27 bus along St-Joseph Boulevard in the Plateau neighborhood. Commuters can visit stm.info for detailed information on these adjustments.
These ongoing projects represent Montreal's continuing infrastructure evolution, balancing necessary improvements with the daily transportation needs of residents and visitors. While the cancelled REM closure offers temporary relief, the broader landscape of construction and adjustments continues to shape the city's mobility patterns.
