Montreal drivers and commuters should brace for a significant return of traffic disruptions starting next week, as major infrastructure projects resume following the holiday period. Key arteries including the iconic Ste-Catherine Street and a vital bridge connecting the island will see substantial lane reductions and closures, impacting travel across the city.
Major Downtown and Bridge Disruptions
The extensive renovation of Ste-Catherine Street in downtown Montreal picks up again on Monday, January 19, 2026. The work zone between Fort and Peel Streets will see gradual closures through mid-March. Starting Monday, the street will be closed to traffic between Drummond and Peel Streets, as well as between Pierce and Guy Streets.
To mitigate the impact, Guy Street (south of Ste-Catherine) and Stanley Street (on both sides) will be converted to two-way traffic during these closures. Residents and visitors are advised to check the official city website at montreal.ca/lasaintecatherine for specific details and updates.
Simultaneously, the Charles-De Gaulle Bridge, a crucial link between Montreal and Terrebonne, will operate under severe restrictions this weekend. From 9:30 p.m. on Friday, January 16, until 4 a.m. on Monday, January 19, the bridge will be reduced to just two lanes in each direction. The open lanes will be narrowed to 3.3 metres wide, and a reduced speed limit of 50 km/h will be strictly enforced, likely causing significant slowdowns.
Ongoing Projects Adding to Congestion
These new disruptions add to an already lengthy list of major construction projects affecting Montreal's road network. Drivers should plan for the following ongoing situations:
- Highway 19 (Papineau-Leblanc Bridge): Only two lanes are open in each direction between Montreal and Laval, with partial or complete nightly closings expected to continue until the end of 2026.
- Highway 40 (Île-aux-Tourtes Bridge): This bridge remains at a reduced capacity of five lanes total—two in each direction plus one alternating lane during rush hours.
- Berri Street in Ville-Marie: Major work at the Berri-UQAM métro station has closed Berri Street between Ste-Catherine and Ontario Streets, and de Maisonneuve Boulevard between St-Denis and St-Hubert Streets. This closure is projected to last until November 2027. Traffic is being detoured, and STM bus routes 30 and 50 have been shortened, while express bus 427 is suspended.
- St-Urbain Street Overpass: The overpass above the Ville-Marie Expressway is closed for a long-term renovation until the end of 2026, though pedestrian access remains.
Additional Commute Challenges Across the City
Further compounding travel woes are several other key projects. On Highway 10, the eastbound Exit 3 for Carrie-Derick Street is now permanently closed as part of the Bonaventure Expressway transformation. Work on the Blue Line métro extension has led to closures on Jean-Talon Street, forcing bus detours and the establishment of a temporary shuttle bus (No. 814).
In Mercier—Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Pie-IX Boulevard is down to a single lane in each direction between Pierre-de-Coubertin Avenue and Notre-Dame Street due to work on the SRB Pie-IX extension southward.
The collective impact of these projects signals a challenging start to the new year for Montreal commuters. Authorities recommend allowing extra travel time, using public transit where possible, and consulting official sources like the STM website (stm.info) and the City of Montreal's portal for the latest detour and closure information before heading out.
