Canadian customs this Sunday

[subsonic]

In Quebec, these last 2 weeks are known as "Les vacances de la construction". Quebec people on vacation on the east coast will be heading back to Quebec "en masse" this Sunday. Expect delays at the Canadian border (easily 2 hours or more).Peek times are going to be late Sunday afternoon and evening. I will be timing my crossing (at Champlain) early (am) on Sunday.


From USA to CANADA:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/times/menu-e.html
Twitter (trial till august): http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/new-neuf/twitter-eng.html

FROM CANADA TO USA:
http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/

[boltonite]

if this shows the US Customs border/delay, isn't the wait time for coming into the US, not Canada?

[subsonic]

if this shows the US Customs border/delay, isn't the wait time for coming into the US, not Canada?

Smart guy you are. Fixed it for you.

[Stynger]

if this shows the US Customs border/delay, isn't the wait time for coming into the US, not Canada?

Does say Canada bound!

[chaos4NH]

It will not be any easier after you do get into Canada. Route through Montreal will be pretty packed.

[rousespointer]

You can avoid going through Montreal city center. An alternate route is to use the Mercier bridge over the river into the south side of Montreal that leads to Dorval (Trudeau) airport. I do use the port of Champlain NY to cross, as it has lots of capacity (but everything is a crap shoot at the border). I go 15 North to 132W to 138 over the bridge to 20 to 13 to 640 to 15 again. Distance wise it is pretty much a wash. If you cross the border in Highgate, VT, then you would have to go south on 15 to pick up the southern route before you cross the big bridge into downtown Montreal, so it may be easier just to take route 78 to route 2 to Rouses Point (then route 11 to Champlain). Google Maps or Mapquest can easily show the routes.

[StephanAlfa]

You can avoid going through Montreal city center. An alternate route is to use the Mercier bridge over the river into the south side of Montreal that leads to Dorval (Trudeau) airport. I do use the port of Champlain NY to cross, as it has lots of capacity (but everything is a crap shoot at the border). I go 15 North to 132W to 138 over the bridge to 20 to 13 to 640 to 15 again. Distance wise it is pretty much a wash. If you cross the border in Highgate, VT, then you would have to go south on 15 to pick up the southern route before you cross the big bridge into downtown Montreal, so it may be easier just to take route 78 to route 2 to Rouses Point (then route 11 to Champlain). Google Maps or Mapquest can easily show the routes.

Having lived in Montreal for just over 18 years I agree that Mercier bridge is an alternate. Just be careful crossing there if you are hauling a car because the path is narrow and bumpy. From there take hwy 20 via west for a short distance and then 13 North to the T-can (40) going East to Hgwy 15 North (Laurentians Hgwy) to Mont-Tremblant. It's a bit of a loop but it could be a short-cut IF there is congestion (which you will NOT notice until you are way pass the entrace to take Mercier Bridge so stay tuned to traffic reports.
The problem on Sunday is crossing the border ... not going thru Montreal. The "big bridge" is Champlain bridge.
I am hauling so I will take Champlain to Decarie (10) to T-can (40) and then 15 North.
Ohhhhhh! Cannnnnn-a-daaaaaa!

[Mark Swinehart]

Honoré Mercier Bridge: one lane in each direction this weekend
We wish to remind that only one lane in each direction will be opened on the Honoré Mercier Bridge this weekend from Friday, July 30, 10 PM to Monday, August 2, 5 AM. (Note that our work will begin at 10 PM and not midnight)

The upstream part of the Honoré Mercier Bridge, which allows access to the South Shore (Route 138-West), will be completely closed to traffic during this period. Traffic will be re-directed to one lane in each direction on the downstream part of the bridge (Route 138-East). The flow of traffic will be very slow during the weekend, and motorists are encouraged to avoid the Honoré Mercier Bridge during this period.

Please note that no closure for the Champlain Bridge is scheduled this weekend.

http://www.quebec511.gouv.qc.ca/en/

[Dave_G]

Thanks for the heads-up Mark, and I guess I'll be taking the Champlain Bridge.

But I've got to ask, given that les vacances de la construction was set up as a holiday specifically for the construction industry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructi ... 8Quebec%29), what are they doing working in the middle of their own provincially-legislated holiday?

[Mark Swinehart]

http://pontmercierbridge.ca/eng/


"For the first time since 1934, the deck of the Mercier Bridge will be entirely replaced. The work being undertaken will prolong the bridge's life for another 75 years."