Facebook group lets drivers crowdsource Mercier Bridge traffic updates

"What's the traffic like on the bridge?"

It's a familiar summertime refrain for those who usually take the Mercier Bridge to get to or from Montreal. With the bridge down to one lane until mid-August, the time it takes to get from one end to the other is anyone's guess.

About two years ago, David Lahache started a Facebook group to help motorists navigate the lane closures and figure out how long it will take to cross.

"It was me fed up of trying to figure out what the traffic is like, and fed up of having to go to a million sources," he said.

Clarifying confusion on lane closures

The bridge is co-managed by the federal and provincial governments. With two different bodies organizing roadwork on the span, it's sometimes hard to get a clear picture of who is working on the bridge and when.

Complicating matters somewhat is the fact that there are no traffic cameras on the Montreal-bound side of the bridge, so even the traffic updates on the radio often are supplied by motorists who are in the thick of it.

Lahache works for the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake and liaises with the two levels of government, then publicizes the information so everyone is in the loop.

The group now has 2,300 members and counting. It's public, so anyone can see the information posted to it. Those who join the group get notifications and can post or request updates on how long it takes to cross.

Lahache monitors the page to keep it free of spam and otherwise unrelated information. He said he receives mostly positive feedback from users.

Tips to get you where you want to go

The Mercier Bridge isn't the only problem area motorists will encounter in and around Montreal this summer. Lahache shared a few tips to help motorists get through the proverbial construction season.

• Plan ahead: give yourself plenty of time to get to where you want to go.
• Use as many outlets as possible to plan your trip. Other than the Facebook group, Google Maps, the Quebec 511 app and the federal bridge authority's website are good options, he said.
• Get creative: don't be afraid to deviate from your usual route to get to where you're going. Lahache said he would rather take a longer route that is smooth sailing than sit in traffic.
• Use public transit if you can.
• And if all else fails, avoid the bridge altogether. The traffic has no pattern right now, Lahache explained. Having one lane available means a single accident can paralyze the bridge, which has happened already this summer. So if you can avoid it, do so.

Do you have a creative way to navigate the summertime traffic blitz? Send us an email and let us know.