Montreal faced significant disruptions on Thursday morning due to sudden and challenging weather conditions. The city reported being caught off guard by a combination of heavy, wet snow followed by a fast-moving cold front during peak traffic hours.
Weather Challenges Impact Montreal’s Roads
According to city spokesperson Philippe Sabourin, the unexpected snowfall led to unplowed and unsalted streets and sidewalks. This resulted in numerous vehicles losing control and a considerable number of drivers exiting the roads. Local authorities urged Montreal residents to exercise extreme caution while traveling.
- Heavy snowfall occurred overnight, accompanied by a cold front.
- Driving conditions deteriorated significantly, particularly on major boulevards.
- Montreal police intervened in several areas to manage traffic.
Roads including Boulevard Robert-Bourassa, Boulevard Pie-IX, and Avenue De Lorimier were notably difficult to navigate, as well as the Côte-des-Neiges road on the western side of the island. Footage shared on social media depicted several citizens helping to push a stuck bus on Avenue De Lorimier.
Response Efforts and Plowing Operations
Sabourin noted the city’s commitment to addressing the situation, stating that over 1,000 pieces of equipment were deployed to improve conditions. He conveyed that the cleanup effort would extend through Friday, after which officials would assess the need for snow removal operations.
If implemented, this would mark the fourth snow removal operation of the winter season. Typically, snow is collected when precipitation reaches 10 to 15 centimeters. The cost of these operations averages one million dollars per centimeter of snow removed, covering various services such as salting, plowing, and transportation of snow.
Effects Beyond Roads
The weather disruptions not only affected roadways but also impacted public transit. A significant malfunction occurred early in the day with the Réseau express métropolitain (REM), causing further delays. Additionally, several flights at Montreal-Trudeau Airport were either postponed or canceled due to snowfall.
Residents were advised to park their vehicles at least 30 centimeters from the sidewalks to facilitate the salting operations. With a yearly snow removal budget of approximately 200 million dollars, city officials are experiencing ongoing challenges from unpredictable winter weather.
