On Thursday morning, southern Quebec experienced a significant snowfall, leading to hazardous road conditions and significant disruptions to the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) operations.
Impact of Snow on Road and Transit Systems
The snowfall measured between 10 and 15 centimeters in some areas. This heavy accumulation resulted in numerous vehicle accidents and road departures. Police and transportation authorities promptly issued alerts for drivers regarding conditions on major highways.
REM Service Disruptions
The REM service experienced several delays and complete interruptions due to weather-related issues. Initial delays were reported starting at 5:45 AM between the Deux-Montagnes and Gare Centrale stations. Just 13 minutes later, the service was halted in all directions due to freezing conditions affecting the overhead cable system.
- 6:03 AM: The disruption was limited to the segment between Deux-Montagnes and McGill stations.
- 7:04 AM: Service disruption extended to Ville-de-Mont-Royal station.
- 8:50 AM: A slowdown occurred between Brossard and Gare Centrale.
- 9:29 AM: Officials announced a gradual resumption of services.
Transportation authorities confirmed efforts were underway to restore normal service as quickly as possible.
Traffic Incidents
In the Montreal metropolitan area, authorities recorded over fifty incidents on the highways between 5:30 AM and 9:30 AM. The following notable incidents were reported:
- Accidents on Route 132 near the junction with Highway 20 involving approximately ten vehicles, prompting a complete road closure.
- Three separate incidents involving semi-trucks causing additional highway obstruction.
- Multiple road departures reported on Highway 30 and Highway 40.
Fortunately, there were no severe injuries reported in any of these incidents.
Weather Forecast
According to Environment Canada, snowfall was expected to continue into the evening, enforcing warnings about potentially poor visibility and significant impacts on peak hours traffic. Drivers were urged to exercise caution and stay updated on road conditions from reliable sources.
