In the Greater Montreal area, Autoroute 15 is notorious for its congestion. The highway provides direct access between the North Shore, Laval, and Montreal. Accidents can paralyze flow between the city and suburbs as a result. Unfortunately, such is the case today. A spill has greatly reduced highway access, bringing traffic to a standstill for kilometers.

The current weather conditions are sure to complicate the matter.

Traffic camera footage shows that cars are bumper to bumper in Sainte-Thérèse near the interchange with Autoroute 640.

At about 1 p.m., the Ministère des Transports (MTQ) indicated that only one, zigzagging lane was open to traffic.

The ministry subsequently announced that the left and centre tracks were blocked.

Decontamination services are required at the site to clean up the roadway and the damage caused by the incident.

[rebelmouse-image 26887310 photo_credit="Google Maps" expand=1 original_size="524x454"] Google Maps

As of 4:30 p.m. three of four southbound lanes are open to traffic and decontamination crews are on site.

Québec 511 has yet to provide a timeline for the reopening of the closed lanes.

Traffic on the A-15 is therefore likely to remain heavy in both directions as rush hour approaches.

More details to come.

This article was originally published in French on Narcity Québec.