Due to the precariousness of the Laviolette bridge roadway, many motorists are worried regarding their vehicles.
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The mechanical garage located at the foot of the bridge found a multitude of problems. “You see a lot of people getting punctures and coming here. We also replace damaged mags and repair broken suspensions on deck. This morning alone, we had two punctures,” explained the assistant manager of the Charles Turcotte garage, Jason Tardif.
The chaotic state of the roadway also keeps tugs busy.
“During rush hours, we are always near the Laviolette bridge, in a nearby parking lot, to intervene quickly. We have fifteen minutes, maximum, to be there. With the many holes on the road, it happens regularly,” mentioned the co-owner of Remorquage J2, Jason Julien.
The latter also specified that the distraction of certain motorists also caused problems.
“It happens that people drive with their cellphones behind the wheel and that they hit the wall,” he added.
The Ministère des Transports du Québec is aware of the problem and confirms that changes are coming.
“Yes, the presence of potholes has been observed since the spring. There are patching activities when their presence is noted. The goal is to maintain the condition of the pavement until the complete paving of the bridge in September,” said the spokesperson for the organization, Roxanne Pellerin.
Several works are to be planned on the link of a little less than three kilometers which crosses the St. Lawrence. The replacement of the central slab will be done by 2025. The replacement of the bearings has begun and is being carried out at night.
