Overview
The Trans-Canada Highway, also known as A-40, is one of the two major connections between Montreal and Quebec City. In 2010, the Quebec Ministry of Transportation started the full reconstruction of the highway between Charles-de-Gaulle Bridge and Henri-Bourassa Boulevard. The worksite used 1.5 km (3.1 mi) of concrete movable barriers to secure a counterflow on the eastbound in 2010 and on the westbound in 2011.
The counterflow operation was implemented to ensure that three lanes of traffic were available in each direction during peak hours. To replace the extensive manual traffic control, the Ministry opted for an automated operation using automated warning signs and swing gates to daily open and close lanes.
Project Scope
The multiple daily lane closures and openings were conducted with maximum safety using SwiftSign and SwiftGate modules, installed at both ends of the movable barrier. Each lane closure and lane opening was activated from a safe location using a handheld remote control. As the worksite phasing changed, SwiftSign and SwiftGate solar-powered modules were simply relocated. The automated system increased traffic operations, while ensuring the safety of workers who are no longer exposed to live traffic.
