The Quebec government is looking at a $1-billion plan to knock down and rebuild the busy Turcot Interchange in southwest Montreal.

The project is one option the government is considering for the interchange, which will need major work in the next four to five years.

Guy Richard, who works for the Ministry of Transportation, told Radio-Canada that demolishing and rebuilding the structure of overpasses could take 10 years, but it would be highly beneficial in the long-run.

If the interchange is rebuilt, it would be lowered significantly, Richard said.

The interchange was built high off the ground to allow boats to pass underneath as they navigated the Lachine Canal, but such height has proven unnecessary.

The government is also considering renovating the interchange, without tearing it down.

Michel Gagnon, president of the association of Quebec government engineers, told Radio-Canada that renovations would cost at least $500 million and only extend the life of the interchange by a maximum of 15 years.

Gagnon said the cost of maintaining the renovated structure would be very high.

While the government makes up its mind, Richard said he wants to reassure Montreal motorists that the Turcot Interchange is safe to drive on in the meantime.

The interchange is one of the largest on the island of Montreal, linking Highways 15, 20 and 720.

In May 2003, a study commissioned by the Ministry of Transportation showed the Turcot Interchange was cracking and in need of serious construction work within a few years.

Collapsed Laval overpass being rebuilt

Meanwhile, construction workers have begun to rebuild two destroyed overpasses in Laval.

The De La Concorde overpass collapsed on Sept. 30, killing five people, including a pregnant woman. The De Blois overpass, which was metres away, was demolished soon after because of fears it would collapse too.

Reconstruction work, which began Thursday evening, is expected to cost $7.5 million and should be complete by late June. Two lanes of Highway 19 will remain open in each direction during the construction period.