The Sûreté du Québec issued a traffic alert Tuesday morning, urging motorists to steer clear of a significant stretch of eastbound Highway 20 in Longueuil. The warning comes after a cluster of unrelated vehicle breakdowns created a major obstruction near the crucial Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine Tunnel.
Police Issue Urgent Traffic Advisory
In a public message released at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, the provincial police force advised drivers to find an alternate route. The affected area is eastbound Highway 20 between kilometres 79 and 89, a segment that includes the approach to the busy tunnel connecting Longueuil to Montreal.
"There are at the moment multiple vehicle breakdowns reported on Highway 20 (Route 132) in Longueuil," stated the SQ alert. The police specifically asked motorists to avoid the zone to prevent further congestion and allow recovery crews to work safely.
Multiple Incidents Reported in Short Span
Supporting the police warning, the official Transport Quebec 511 traffic monitoring service reported at least three separate breakdowns in the area over the course of a single hour. This unusual series of mechanical failures, while seemingly coincidental, created a compounded traffic nightmare during the morning commute.
While the Sûreté du Québec routinely communicates about major accidents or road closures, this alert highlighted an atypical situation driven by several simultaneous, yet unrelated, vehicle failures.
Commuters Advised to Seek Alternate Routes
The immediate consequence for Greater Montreal commuters was significant delays on a primary artery. The Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine Tunnel is a vital link for traffic moving from the South Shore to Montreal Island, and any disruption on its approaches causes widespread ripple effects.
Authorities did not specify the exact causes of the individual breakdowns but emphasized that avoiding the area was the best course of action for all drivers. The advisory remained in effect until tow trucks could clear the disabled vehicles and normal traffic flow could resume.
This incident serves as a reminder for drivers to ensure their vehicles are properly maintained, especially during winter months, and to always monitor real-time traffic updates via sources like the 511 Quebec system before embarking on their journeys.
