Ground breaks on $22 million ITS project on Quebec’s Hwy. 15

CHÂTEAUGUAY, Que. — Construction has commenced on a new state-of-the-art inspection station on Hwy. 15 between Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle and Montreal just north of the U.S. border.

The $21.6 project — being carried out jointly by the Government of Canada, the Quebec Automobile Insurance Corp., and the Quebec Department of Transport — includes a control station that utilizes the latest in intelligent transportation systems technology.

The ITS system will be comprised of a vehicle detecting system, an embedded scale to weigh heavy vehicles on the highway, and automated identification systems for heavy vehicles, made up of a transmitter-receiver and cameras to provide optical recognition of licence plates, and variable message signs.

The equipment in this new station will be integrated into the computer systems of the SAAQ, which will allow highway controllers to screen heavy vehicles before they are required to report for inspection.

“The work to improve the quality and reliability of this strategic Quebec trade corridor testifies once again to the importance placed on transportation by our government, which will be allocating nearly $4 billion over the next three years to improve Quebec’s roads,” said Quebec Minister of Transport Michel Després.
The station should be operational by fall 2006, when a six-month testing period will begin.

Other work underway on the Hwy. 15 trade corridor includes development of a congestion detection system, improvement of existing lighting and installation of new lighting along the centre strip, and landscaping to improve the look of the gateway for traffic entering Quebec.