Montreal’s Papineau Avenue remains closed between Ste-Catherine Street and René-Lévesque Boulevard following a water main rupture Thursday morning. The closure disrupts traffic indefinitely while repair crews address the issue.
Traffic Disruptions and Rerouting
Police officers manage detours on site and urge drivers to steer clear of the area. Access to the Jacques Cartier Bridge, linking Montreal to the South Shore, faces added challenges due to ongoing renovations closing a section of De Lorimier Avenue. Authorities direct bridge-bound traffic via Frontenac and Atateken streets.
Jean-Pierre Brabant, spokesperson for the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), highlighted how the water main break exacerbates bridge access issues.
Repair Efforts and Unknown Timeline
City of Montreal teams actively work to seal the break. Details on the reopening timeline and the cause of the rupture remain unavailable at this time.
Past Infrastructure Concerns
In August 2024, a similar water main failure one block away triggered a geyser, flooding dozens of homes and spotlighting the city’s aging pipes. Officials replaced a six-meter pipe section a few months afterward.
