Montréal-pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport will close its front parking garage on October 15th as part of major construction aimed at easing chronic traffic congestion. Airport officials are urging travelers to utilize “express drop-off” locations and take advantage of free short-term parking to avoid delays.
The closure of the front parking garage is a response to overwhelming traffic volume on the access ramp, which currently handles 1650 vehicles per hour but frequently sees up to 2700 during peak times, creating meaningful backups. The goal is to redirect traffic and streamline passenger drop-off and pick-up, particularly as the busy holiday travel season approaches. All parking areas except the now-closing front garage will offer 40 minutes of free parking, allowing drivers to wait outside the immediate congestion zone until their passengers are ready for pick-up.
According to Yves Beauchamp, CEO of Aéroports de Montréal (ADM), the express drop-off system offers a swift option.”Essentially,you arrive with the car,the taxi,they drop you off and there is a shuttle service every 5 minutes [following] a route that takes about 2-3 minutes,which takes us to the drop-off point,” Beauchamp explained in a recent interview with QUB radio and télé.
Two express drop-off locations are available: P4, accessible via the Marriott ramp on a “closed circuit” leading directly to the hotel and behind the P4 parking lot, and P10, utilizing a route behind the Sheraton hotel along the airport perimeter, avoiding main traffic flows. Thes routes currently transport between 150 and 200 passengers daily, tho they have a capacity of 700 passengers per hour.
Beauchamp acknowledges a shift in habit is required. “There is a change of mindset and habit that will have to take place and that people will have to go to these drop-offs,” he said. “And I tell you, the comments we have for the people who use the express drop-offs are excellent, they like it, it’s reliable, it’s fast.” Travelers can view the full interview with Beauchamp via video and audio excerpts available online.
