‘Just chaotic’: Heavy traffic from Presidents Cup in Montreal breeding frustration

The highly anticipated Presidents Cup has just begun, but residents, business owners, and local mayors in Montreal's West Island are already frustrated by severe traffic delays and long waits.

The professional golf tournament is being held at the Royal Montreal Golf Club in Île-Bizard, a suburb connected to the Island of Montreal by only one bridge.

Heba Armanious, who commutes from Île-Bizard to her Harvey’s franchise in the nearby Pierrefonds-Roxboro borough, said her usual five-minute drive now takes about 50 minutes. The heavy traffic has been "long and exhausting," she explained.

“It’s affecting the business. It’s affecting the people,” Armanious said in an interview on Wednesday, describing the situation as "chaotic."

Until the tournament ends on Sunday, only vehicles with special passes can access Île-Bizard. While police are monitoring traffic, residents report issues with the pass system, especially regarding access for essential vehicles.

Sonia Viel, an Île-Bizard resident, anticipated some traffic with the event, but she was unprepared for the disruption it caused to her family's life.

“My son has special needs and requires medication, but the Jean Coutu (pharmacy) delivery truck couldn’t get on the island because it didn’t have the necessary sticker,” Viel said.

Local mayors have criticized the City of Montreal, arguing that there should have been more consultation regarding traffic management.

Doug Hurley, Mayor of Île-Bizard-Sainte-Geneviève, stated that the current system is "causing more headaches than solving problems" and pointed out that traffic control falls under the City of Montreal’s jurisdiction.

Pierrefonds-Roxboro Borough Mayor Jim Beis echoed these concerns, asking, “What do you do when you have to take your kids to school? What do you do when your kids participate in sports? What do you do when businesses are suffering?”

Hurley believes the traffic plan needs a complete overhaul, acknowledging the frustrations of both residents and merchants.

“It’s only going to get worse,” Hurley warned, “starting tomorrow, 25,000 to 30,000 people will be here for the rest of the week, in addition to my 18,000 residents in Île-Bizard.”

Philippe Sabourin, spokesperson for the City of Montreal, admitted it was “not an easy start for the Presidents Cup,” citing a stranded vehicle on the Île-Bizard bridge and a watermain break in Pierrefonds, which both contributed to delays.

Sabourin explained that the pass system is meant to minimize traffic from non-locals but acknowledged that there’s room for improvement. Montreal police are working with event organizers to address the congestion.

“The idea behind the filtration system was to help residents and keep Île-Bizard as quiet as possible during this major event,” Sabourin said.

While the Presidents Cup players began practicing on Tuesday and Wednesday, the tournament officially kicks off Thursday with tens of thousands of spectators expected. Residents and local officials hope to see better traffic management in place.

The City of Montreal is urging tournament attendees to use the designated shuttle services.

“We’re asking every participant to take the shuttle,” Sabourin emphasized.