As a result of the sudden closure of the Ile-aux-Tortes Bridge on May 20, due to safety concerns arising from the bridge’s structure, several schools on the western tip of Montreal are going to be directly affected. Nearly 30 elementary and high schools that are located in the Vaudreuil-Dorion area will be closed on May 25, in order for the Centre de service scolaire Trois-Lacs to assess what impact the bridge closure will have on the commute to and from the schools. The Îl-aux-Tourtes bridge connects the West Island to Vaudreuil-Dorion via Highway 40, and is used by as as many as 87,000 motorists every day during peak usage hours.
In a letter addressed to parents, Sophie Proulx, the centre’s executive director, is aware of the inconveniences that are being caused as a result of the bridge closure.
“However, the geographic configuration of our territory means that employees and students commuting from home to school are directly affected,” she added.
According to a report by CBC News, there will be no online classes offered to make up for the cancelled in-person classes; however, students who are already enrolled in distanced learning for the 2020-2021 school year will continue to have online classes.
Another school that will be closed tomorrow is the Lester B. Pearson School Board’s Macdonald High School in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue.
As well, school transportation services will be suspended in several schools in western Montreal until further notice, which will affect a total of 16,000 students.
If the affected schools remain closed for another day, parents will be allowed to collect their children’s belongings on Wednesday, May 26, so their children can continue learning from home.
Other articles from mtltimes.ca – totimes.ca – otttimes.ca
Bear seen roaming the West Island
