The City of Mercier announced on June 27, 2026 that it is starting a petition aimed at the Quebec government to intervene in the ongoing traffic gridlock that affects Route 138 on Montreal’s South Shore. Municipal officials said the petition will request provincial action to alleviate the chronic congestion that has long frustrated local commuters.
City representatives described the traffic situation on Route 138 as a persistent problem that hampers daily travel for residents of Mercier and surrounding communities. They noted that the bottlenecks have become a regular feature of the roadway, contributing to longer commute times and increased driver frustration.
The petition, which the city plans to circulate among residents, seeks a formal response from the Quebec government outlining steps that can be taken to improve traffic flow. Municipal leaders indicated that they hope the provincial authorities will consider infrastructure upgrades, traffic management measures, or other interventions that could reduce the frequency and severity of the jams.
Local officials emphasized that the petition reflects a broader desire for coordinated action between municipal and provincial bodies. They pointed to the importance of Route 138 as a key east‑west corridor on the South Shore, noting that its performance directly impacts the mobility of a sizable portion of the region’s population.
The city’s outreach effort includes distributing petition forms at community centers and making the request available online. Residents who sign the petition will add their names to a collective call for the Quebec government to address the issue.
While no specific timeline for a provincial response has been set, the City of Mercier indicated that it will continue to monitor traffic conditions on Route 138 and will keep the public informed of any developments resulting from the petition process.