The governments of Canada and Quebec joined forces today to announce the start of work on Phase 1 of the Highway 19 extension project, between Autoroutes 440 in Laval and 640 in Bois-des-Fillion. Construction of the Saint-Saëns interchange in Laval will link Highway 19 to rue Saint-Saëns Est. The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Mr. David Lametti, on behalf of the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, Mr. Dominic Leblanc, and the Quebec Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Eastern Townships, Mr. François Bonnardel, accompanied by the Mayor of Laval, Mr. Stéphane Boyer, made the announcement today.

After decades of anticipation, the construction work has officially begun on phase 1 of the Highway 19 extension project. The interchange at rue Saint-Saëns Est is the first of four new interchanges planned for this project. Commissioning is scheduled for completion of phase 1 in 2023.

Ultimately, this project will improve mobility in Laval and the Lower Laurentians for public transit users, motorists and freight. A multi-purpose path will also be laid out for active mobility.

The project is a priority for the Quebec government, and was the subject of acceleration measures made possible by the adoption of the Act respecting the acceleration of certain infrastructure projects.

“Today, we’re kicking off a project long-awaited by the people of Laval and the North Shore. We made a commitment to make it happen, and we’re delivering by investing in public transit. It’s a major boost to economic growth and quality of life for the people of Laval.

The Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities

Highlights

• The extension of Highway 19, with three lanes in each direction, including a lane reserved for buses, electric vehicles and car pooling, will be built between Saint-Martin Est Boulevard in Laval and Industriel Boulevard in Bois-des-Filion. Currently, some 34,000 vehicles use the Athanase-David bridge every day, which spans the Rivière des Mille Îles and on which work is planned as part of the project.

• Work on this first phase of the project will continue until 2023. It includes
• • construction of the rue Saint-Saëns Est motorway interchange in Laval;
  • the reconstruction of Saint-Saëns Est street over a stretch of almost 1.2 km, including :
    • widening and reconstruction of the roadway structure;
    • the addition of a closed drainage system and a bicycle path;
    • new lighting on both sides of the street;
    • construction of approximately 1.45 km of northbound Highway 19;
    • construction of the first segments of the multi-purpose track;
    • construction of a new western link for rue Saint-Saëns Est.

• The Highway 19 extension project has received a commitment from the Government of Canada for a contribution of $260.4 million under the New Building Canada Fund, Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects.

• Work is still in progress on the preliminary design and the plans and specifications for the other phases.

• The Quebec government’s investment will be known once the business case for the overall project has been approved by the Council of Ministers.

SOURCE Office of the Minister of Transport