A diesel spill on Tuesday morning forced the closure of the northbound ramp onto Highway 13, creating a backup on westbound Highway 20 in Montreal. The incident prompted immediate action by local authorities to secure the site and reroute traffic.
Emergency responders arrived shortly after the spill was reported, containing the diesel and beginning an assessment of any environmental impact. The ramp remained closed while cleanup crews worked, and police directed vehicles away from the affected area to maintain safety.
Motorists traveling west on Highway 20 experienced significant delays as traffic queued for several kilometres, with many seeking alternate routes to bypass the bottleneck. The northbound Highway 13 ramp is a primary access point for commuters heading toward the northern suburbs, and its unavailability amplified congestion on the main corridor.
Cleanup teams employed absorbent materials and containment booms to prevent the diesel from reaching storm drains or nearby roadways. Officials indicated that the spill posed a short‑term environmental risk, and ongoing monitoring would determine whether further remediation is required.
As of the afternoon, the ramp remained closed, and no specific reopening time had been announced. Drivers were urged to follow real‑time traffic alerts and consider alternative north‑south routes to avoid further delays.
The disruption added to the usual weekday traffic load on Montreal’s major arteries, prompting some commuters to shift to public transit or adjust travel times. Transportation officials continue to assess the situation and will provide updates as the cleanup progresses.
Motorists were reminded to exercise caution around the spill area, obeying any signage and instructions from law enforcement. The cleanup effort is expected to continue until the diesel is fully removed and the site is deemed safe for reopening.