The Turcot Interchange
The Turcot Interchange under construction, 1966.Throughout the 1960's, the city of Montreal was in a road building frenzy.
Sophisticated highway systems were put into place in anticipation of the millions of motor tourists expected to visit Montreal during Expo 67. Inaugurated in 1967, the Turcot Interchange was just one of the many mega-projects that Montreal undertook during this effervescent period.
The impressive spaghetti of overpasses and elevated ramps was built west of downtown Montreal, connecting highways 20, 720 and 15. Using 220,000 cubic yards of concrete and 21,000 tons of steel, the 4 level interchange's 4.5 miles of roads spanned over an area of 17 acres. It was built high above the ground (up to 100 feet at certain points) to accommodate ships passing through the Lachine Canal.
The interchange's original design also included groovy recessed lighting embedded in the walls of the ramps, rather than traditional lamp posts.
The newly-built Turcot Interchange was a stunning sight to behold. Along with Expo, it played a role in establishing Montreal as a world class city...
Sophisticated highway systems were put into place in anticipation of the millions of motor tourists expected to visit Montreal during Expo 67. Inaugurated in 1967, the Turcot Interchange was just one of the many mega-projects that Montreal undertook during this effervescent period.
The impressive spaghetti of overpasses and elevated ramps was built west of downtown Montreal, connecting highways 20, 720 and 15. Using 220,000 cubic yards of concrete and 21,000 tons of steel, the 4 level interchange's 4.5 miles of roads spanned over an area of 17 acres. It was built high above the ground (up to 100 feet at certain points) to accommodate ships passing through the Lachine Canal.
The interchange's original design also included groovy recessed lighting embedded in the walls of the ramps, rather than traditional lamp posts.
The newly-built Turcot Interchange was a stunning sight to behold. Along with Expo, it played a role in establishing Montreal as a world class city...
Northbound view of interchange near completion, 1967.
Westbound view of interchange near completion, 1967.
Downtown Montreal can be seen in the background of this 1966 view.
The recessed lighting of the completed Turcot Interchange, as seen in 1970.
The Mercier Bridge, at Turcot's westernmost point.images: (1) bilan.usherbrooke.ca
(2-3-5) neath.wordpress.com
(4-6) personal collection
Labels: montreal retro
posted by Jason Stockl @ 3:18 pm
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