Last Friday, an oversize load convoy from Bellemare became immobilized on Highway 50 westbound in Mirabel, Quebec.
The truck got stuck between the concrete barriers of a construction site, leading to the complete closure of the highway for several hours and causing significant traffic congestion. The incident was resolved by the end of the day after extended efforts.
Neither Bellemare, the driver, nor the road escorts can be blamed for this event. The necessary permits had been obtained in accordance with the Quebec 511 platform, which accounted for the exceptional width of the load, measuring nearly 5 meters. There were no posted construction signs, and the 511 platform did not indicate any restrictions regarding load sizes on Highway 50. Everything was done by the book, following the available information and with the expertise we expect from Bellemare.
However, upon arrival at the site, the convoy drivers discovered that a construction zone was already in place, despite the fact that work wasn’t scheduled to start until 10 p.m. Jerseys had been set up without prior warning.
With no signage indicating these obstacles, the drivers found themselves in a challenging situation and decided to test whether the load could pass through. While they initially managed to proceed, further down the road, the gap between the barriers narrowed to about 4.5 meters—too tight for the convoy to continue. The contractor responsible for the construction was contacted to develop a solution.
Two options were considered: moving forward by removing about 200 jerseys or reversing over a shorter distance by shifting just a few concrete barriers. One of the road escorts was dispatched to check an alternative route, while the others managed the situation on-site. Law enforcement was also called in to ensure safety.
Adding to the convoy team’s challenges, a car broke down, blocking the truck just as it was ready to move. The team, equipped with extra fuel, provided gas to the stranded motorist, but despite their efforts, the car still wouldn’t start. A tow truck was called, but it took nearly two hours to arrive, further delaying the operation.
After several hours of effort, the truck was finally able to reverse and exit the area around 7 p.m. A new permit was issued for the alternative route, and the convoy was escorted by police to a secure parking area. The delivery was successfully completed the next day in the Ottawa region, without further incidents, thanks to the quick response from authorities and the effective coordination of the Bellemare team.
In this case, neither the company nor the drivers faced any penalties, as all protocols had been strictly followed.
“The 511 system is essential for verifying road structure compliance. It needs to be up-to-date and validated by the Ministry to avoid situations like the one we experienced,” explains Isabelle Perron, Operations Director at Bellemare. “When everything is done by the book and you still find yourself in such a situation…”
“That said, I want to emphasize the excellent cooperation from the contractor and the Ministry. They were incredibly helpful in getting us out of there. The collaboration was top-notch, truly outstanding.”
Isabelle adds that for Class 6-7 oversized load convoys, a preliminary route validation is conducted by technicians before the convoy can proceed. However, for Class 1 to 5 oversized convoys, this validation is not mandatory.
“We often see this kind of situation in Montreal,” she notes, pointing out that roadwork doesn’t always align with the information provided by the 511 platform.
To prevent similar incidents, a team is usually sent ahead to inspect the routes used by these convoys.
A correction was made on Québec 511 by late Monday afternoon, 3 days after the incident.
