Two of the three lanes of the Pierre-Laporte bridge northbound were closed following an accident caused by a defective expansion joint, Friday noon.
The incident occurred on the Risi bridge which spans the Chaudière river just before the Pierre-Laporte bridge, around 12 p.m.
A vehicle with five passengers on board, including three children, hit an expansion joint that had come out of its axis. Under the force of the impact, the airbags were deployed.
Fortunately, the occupants of the vehicle would have suffered only minor injuries, according to Béatrice Dorsainville, spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec (SQ).
“They were still transported to the hospital, for prevention,” explains Ms. Dorsainville.
The left and center lanes were closed northbound to allow for vehicle recovery, scene cleanup and expansion joint repair.
Engineers from the Quebec Ministry of Transport (MTQ) are on site to analyze the situation. Urgence-Environnement was also deployed since the fuel tank was punctured and spilled on the road.
Significant traffic has therefore been amassing at the south end of the bridge for a few hours and it is not regarding to end. The authorities will be on site for a period which is still indefinite, indicates the SQ.