Metal structure on Highway 15 dismantled after being damaged by collision in Laval
Drivers heading south toward Montreal were brought to a standstill Wednesday morning, and the situation stayed that way for hours after a vehicle slammed into a sign structure on Highway 15 in Laval.
No one was injured in the crash, which happened at around 5 a.m. on Wednesday, but it weakened the sign structure enough that transport officials worried it would collapse.
The highway's southbound lanes were closed between du Souvenir and Cartier boulevards. By 7 a.m., traffic in the area was backed up for more than 10 kilometres.
According to Sarah Bensadoun, a spokesperson with the Transport Ministry, crews dismantled and removed the structure, but the operation took a few hours. During the work, motorists were encouraged to find other routes into Montreal.
Even after the work was completed, Bensadoun said it took a few hours for traffic flow to return to normal.
"It was a huge traffic jam," said Bensadoun Wednesday afternoon. "As of right now, everything is OK in the area. It is perfectly safe for road users."
The sign will be replaced eventually, but the work will likely take place at night to not impede traffic, she said.
