Safety concerns prompt closure of overpass in Vaudreuil-Dorion

Transports Qubec has closed the bridge on des Chenaux Road over Highway 40 in Vaudreuil-Dorion indefinitely, the ministry announced Tuesday.

The 53-year-old overpass,located just west of the l'le-aux-Tourtes Bridge, is subject to regular inspections and has been subject toload restrictions since November.

A recent inspection of the structure found defects affecting its load-bearing capacity, Transports Qubec said,prompting the bridge'simmediate closure.

"The ministry regrets this situationbut does not hesitate to close structures to trafficif the safety of road usersis in question," the announcement states.

"The safety of road users on Highway 40 is not compromised."

The ministry has put detours in place for north and southbound drivers, sending them toward the Saint-Charles Avenue overpass instead.

Assessments of the structure and the bridge's bearing capacity will be conducted in the coming weeks. Details of the required interventions will be announced in early October.

On June 29, the des Chenaux Road overpass was hit by a dump truck with its bin up.

A spokesperson from the ministry said that the closure was not due to to any one particular incident, but to assess the gradual degradationof the bridge to ensure it is still safe to cross.