Commuters traveling from Montreal’s South Shore to the city encountered significant delays on Saturday and Sunday, August 29‑30, 2026, as traffic built up on the region’s principal crossing points.
The congestion affected the Samuel‑De Champlain Bridge, the Victoria Bridge and the Bonaventure Highway, all of which serve as major arteries for vehicles heading into downtown Montreal. Drivers reported slow moving traffic and longer travel times on both bridges and on the highway corridor that connects the South Shore to the island.
Weekend traffic patterns on the South Shore routinely generate queues at these crossing points, and the current weekend was no exception. The Samuel‑De Champlain Bridge, which carries a large share of commuter flow, experienced a notable slowdown, while the older Victoria Bridge also saw a buildup of vehicles. The Bonaventure Highway, the primary route that links the bridges to the city’s core, reported similar conditions.
Motorists were advised to allow extra time for their trips and to consider alternative routes where possible. The delays are expected to subside after the weekend as traffic returns to typical weekday levels.
The Samuel‑De Champlain Bridge and Victoria Bridge together accommodate the majority of commuter flow between the South Shore municipalities and central Montreal. The Bonaventure Highway provides the downstream connection that channels traffic from both bridges onto the city’s expressway network. When congestion occurs on these links, it tends to ripple through adjacent local streets, extending travel delays beyond the immediate bridge approaches. Travel times can increase by fifteen to twenty minutes during peak buildup periods. Motorists are encouraged to monitor traffic updates throughout the day.