Frequently Asked Questions

The SLSMC is committed to continually improving processes to provide reliable services. This includes our Bridge Status webpage. We have recently launched our new bridge status tool for the Salaberry/Beauharnois/Suroît Region.

New features include:

• predictions for the next 60 minutes (previous version provided 30 minutes)
• predictions for all types of bridge lifts: commercial vessels, pleasure crafts and maintenance (previous version provided predictions for commercial vessels only)
• new and improved design

View the Status section for the following real-time information on bridge availability:

• Green = available
• Red = unavailable
• Yellow = available but an anticipated bridge lift will occur within the next 15 minutes

View the Next 60 mins section for anticipated times the bridge will be unavailable due to bridge lifts.

View the Bridge Outage section for anticipated times the bridge will be unavailable for an extended period due to maintenance work. Note: If there are no anticipated bridge outages within the next 48 hours, this section will not be visible.

It all comes down to accuracy. Sixty (60) minutes prior to a bridge lift, notifications are more accurate in determining when a commercial vessel will arrive at a bridge. This is because maintaining a vessel’s optimal flow depends on several factors such as wind, current, marine traffic or even enforced pilotage measures which have an effect on the timing of each vessel approaching bridges and locks. These factors vary from one vessel to the other.

Therefore, to ensure we offer bridge users a reliable planning tool, we provide a prediction for the “Next 60 minutes”. As the time of the anticipated bridge lift approaches, our level of accuracy also improves.

There are a number of factors that come into play:

• The weather
• Marine traffic
• Type of vessels
• Road Issues
• Emergency Actions

In addition, the vessel’s optimal flow depends on several factors such as wind, current, marine traffic or even enforced pilotage measures which have an effect on the timing of each vessel approaching bridges and locks. These factors vary from one vessel to the other.

There are many variables that affect the exact time for a bridge to be unavailable due to a lift. That said, here are some averages:

• For commercial vessels, the process takes approximately 15 minutes.
• For pleasure crafts and maintenance work, the process takes approximately 10 minutes.

As previously mentioned, several factors can have an impact on the timing of each vessel approaching bridges and locks. In the case of a commercial vessel transit, the asterisk will appear if the anticipated time is more likely to be impacted by those other factors. Again, as the time of the anticipated bridge lift approaches, our level of accuracy also improves.

In some cases, the bridge is lifted for regular maintenance or bridge closures due to security issues or unforeseen circumstances including ground or traffic incidents. Information on bridge closures and maintenance work can be found on our Bridge Status webpage.

Pleasure Craft: Everything you need to know

During the pleasure craft season, bridge lifts will be performed at scheduled times. If no pleasure crafts are present, the bridge lift will not occur.

Please note that factors such as wind, current and marine traffic may also have an impact on this schedule.

Please fill out the feedback form on the Contact Us page of the SLSMC’s website.