Formula E prep slows traffic in downtown Montreal
CBC News | Posted: July 19, 2017 1:25 PM | Last Updated: July 19, 2017
René-Lévesque Blvd East has reopened but traffic is slow due to Formual E gates, lane closures
Construction of the Formula E racetrack through downtown Montreal has begun, and that means delays and detours for people trying to move through the east end of the city.
René-Lévesque Boulevard East is once again open to traffic after workers erected gates along the road overnight Wednesday, but drivers will find the road much slower due to lane closures.
Access to René-Lévesque Boulevard East from side streets is also once again possible.
The Formula E races, taking place on Sat., July 29, and Sun., July 30, feature fully electric cars that can reach speeds up to 225 kilometres per hour.
The perimeter of the race track will be: Papineau Avenue to the east, St-Antoine Street to the south, Berri Street to the west and René-Lévesque Boulevard to the north.
On Wednesday morning, access to Papineau heading south off René-Lévesque was blocked and police were on the scene to direct traffic.
An SPVM officer told CBC News they only find out the morning of which streets will be blocked because of Formula E work.
Many bus routes and stops have been modified for the next ten days, and STM has a complete list of route changes online.
Notable changes include no service at bus stops west of Assomption Metro station on express lines 410 and 430.
The Formula E preparations have added extra travel time for pedestrians and cyclists as well.
"I've only been here since July, so it's been noisy since July, but I ride my bike and it's kind of troublesome going to work," cyclist Fannie Lauzon said.
Once the races are over on July 30, it will still take another 10 days to dismantle the course, so traffic will continue to be slow.