Montreal drivers heading to the South Shore face a major weekend disruption as the Samuel-De Champlain Bridge is completely closed southbound toward Brossard, with connecting highway restrictions and other construction projects adding pressure across the region.
The closure began at 11 p.m. Friday, August 21, and is scheduled to end at 5 a.m. Monday, August 24, 2026. The shutdown is for resurfacing work, and motorists should expect heavier traffic on alternative crossings.
When does the Champlain Bridge reopen?
The southbound bridge is scheduled to reopen at 5 a.m. Monday, subject to work proceeding as planned.
The Samuel-De Champlain Bridge operator confirms the full southbound closure and advises motorists to plan alternative routes.
Highway 15 South is affected from the Turcot Interchange, while access is maintained for some local movements between Atwater Avenue, GaĂ©tan-Laberge Boulevard and Nuns’ Island. Traffic from the Bonaventure Expressway heading to Nuns’ Island must detour via GaĂ©tan-Laberge. The ramp from Highway 20 East to Highway 15 North is also closed.
What is the main Champlain Bridge detour?
The principal alternative sends motorists through Route 136 East, Route 134, the Jacques-Cartier Bridge and Route 132.
Those roads could become busier as vehicles normally using the Champlain Bridge move to other crossings. Drivers should allow extra time even if their usual trip does not directly involve the closed bridge.
Victoria Bridge traffic changes
The Victoria Bridge is being used to help handle South Shore traffic during the closure. It is open toward the South Shore throughout the weekend and closed toward Montreal.
This temporarily differs from the continuing arrangement caused by work on the bridge, where traffic normally uses the western lane toward Montreal from midnight to noon and toward the South Shore from noon to midnight. The eastern lane remains closed until September 10.
Is the REM running this weekend?
Yes. The Champlain Bridge road closure does not stop REM trains between Brossard and downtown Montreal.
On Saturday, service between Brossard and Gare Centrale begins at the regular 5:30 a.m. time. Because of separate planned work, service between Gare Centrale and Deux-Montagnes and Anse-Ă -l’Orme begins at 7:30 a.m. The full network is expected to start at 5:30 a.m. Sunday.
Passengers can also review the broader Montreal REM weekend service changes affecting summer travel.
Highway 20 and Souligny Avenue closures
In Boucherville, Highway 20 westbound is closed at Montarville Boulevard from 11 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday. Traffic is being diverted using the exit and following entrance, while part of Montarville Boulevard southbound is also closed.
Souligny Avenue westbound above Highway 25 is closed from Friday night until 5 a.m. August 27. Souligny eastbound between Dickson and Honoré-Beaugrand is also scheduled to close from 11 p.m. Sunday until 5 a.m. Monday.
Brossard event brings more Saturday restrictions
The Sun Life Half Marathon adds local closures in Brossard on Saturday. Parts of Rome Boulevard, Pelletier Boulevard and Sorbonne Avenue are affected from 1 a.m. to 3 p.m., with additional local traffic restrictions.
The Champlain Bridge bike path is also closed during the event, and cyclists are being encouraged to avoid nearby paths while runners are on the course.
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Highway 40 closures are coming next
The ĂŽle-aux-Tourtes Bridge is scheduled to close eastbound from midnight to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for inspections. The eastbound Highway 30 toll will be suspended during those periods.
Highway 40 will also close westbound at Anciens-Combattants Boulevard from 10:30 p.m. Sunday until 5:30 a.m. Monday, with traffic sent onto the service road.
Travellers with broader weekend plans can also check recent airport travel disruption and passenger guidance before connecting to international flights.
South Shore bus network changes Monday
The new 901 Taschereau express bus begins Monday, linking Longueuil—Université-de-Sherbrooke métro station, Panama REM station and terminals in La Prairie, Candiac and Delson.
Service will run as often as every 10 minutes during weekday rush periods. A Zone C fare is required west of Brossard. Exo routes 458, 650 and 651 are among services being cancelled as the new network takes effect.
Another Champlain Bridge closure next weekend
Drivers should prepare for another major shutdown. The bridge is scheduled to close northbound toward Montreal from 11 p.m. Friday, August 28, until 5 a.m. Monday, August 31, with Route 132 and Highway 15 approaches affected.
With several Greater Montreal projects overlapping, motorists should check current conditions before departure and allow additional travel time. Construction schedules can change because of weather or operational conditions.
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