The commute to the Aéroport métropolitain de Montréal (MET) in the Saint-Hubert borough of Longueuil is shorter than the commute to Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) for many Montrealers, according to a study commissioned by MET.
Furthermore, although the influx of motorists around the airport is significant in some areas, the study indicates that in the short term, the road network will be able to accommodate the 2 million annual passengers expected in the first year of service.
This number represents half of the expected ridership over the next ten years.
By the end of 2025, the new Porter Airlines terminal will offer 92 daily domestic flights carrying approximately 8,000 passengers per day.
To determine the impact of these travelers on traffic, Groupe Civilia Inc., mandated by MET, developed a predictive travel management platform based on artificial intelligence.
By integrating up-to-date data, Civilia’s study shows that it is faster, regardless of traffic, to get to MET than to YUL for Montrealers from downtown, Plateau-Mont-Royal, Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie and all of Montréal’s east end. The report estimates that these travelers could represent 35% of the Saint-Hubert airport’s domestic traveling customers.
On this map designed by Groupe Civilia, an increasingly blue hue means the route is faster to YUL, while an increasingly red hue means it’s faster to the MET. Routes include traffic conditions.
Increased traffic
The Civilia study concludes that the current road network is able to accommodate this increase without disrupting traffic conditions. However, it recommends making boul Clairevue the main entrance to the airport to ease local traffic.
According to the study, travelers from the Longueuil metropolitan area can expect delays of up to 10 minutes accessing the MET during the morning rush hour, mainly due to the Route 116 interchange and chemin de Chambly area. However, the report notes that recent work carried out by the City of Longueuil in this area could help improve traffic flow.
Another factor, an analysis of Porter Airlines flight schedules reveals that MET’s peak travel periods differ from those of the road network. Civilia Group expects to add 200 to 250 cars during peak driving hours, compared to 500 cars during lunchtime, when through traffic is less dense.
Mitigation measure
Although the additional traffic flow can be absorbed in the short term, Groupe Civilia warns that delays will increase with the expected traffic growth in the coming years. Optimizing public transit connecting the MET to the Longueuil terminus is recommended. In the longer term, connections with the Radisson metro station, the REM and Central Station should also be considered.
Mitigation measures near the airport
To reduce congestion on chemin de Chambly, Groupe Civilia recommends creating a dedicated right-turn lane onto Route 116, thus avoiding the narrow overpass. The addition and synchronization of traffic lights to improve traffic flow would also be recommended. Furthermore, reducing the speed to 50 km/h on boul Clairevue, north of airport road, would help calm traffic.
Furthermore, MET estimates that only 15% of its customers come from the City of Longueuil, making the highway network the main access point. To ensure efficient transit in the area, it would be necessary to add service lanes on Highway 30 in both directions, the report states.
The widening of Highway 30 is among the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable road projects. However, the project is still in the planning stage, with no timeline or cost estimate.
This widening project, which will happen over several years, is awaiting government approval. It includes the addition of an auxiliary lane on Highway 30 in the airport area, as well as a reserved lane for public transit and carpooling between Brossard and Boucherville.
