New le-aux-Tourtes bridge won't have room for REM, at least for now

The Quebec government has confirmed plans to build a new le-aux-Tourtes bridge connecting Montreal to the off-island suburbs west of the city.

Chantal Rouleau, the province's junior transport minister, said the bridgewill have three lanes in each direction, in addition to reserved bus lanes and a multi-use lane for cyclists and pedestrians.

There is nothing planned in connection with the light-rail project. But Rouleau saidthe new bridge will be planned to potentially accommodate light-rail technology in the future.

"Who knows what will be the technology in five years, in seven years, in ten years," she said.

The province will hold public consultations on the bridge later this month in Senneville and in Vaudreuil-Dorion.

Ground has already been broken on the REM, and it is set to be completed by 2023.

The REM will extend as far west as Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, but for off-island commuters, that will still mean driving over the frequently congested bridge that connects them to the island.

About 83,000 vehicles use thele-aux-Tourtesbridge daily.