Released on December 6 by Développement Vaudreuil-Soulanges (DEV), a survey targeting major employers in the area, mainly manufacturers, industrialists, institutions and supermarkets, shows that 68% of respondents are experiencing a significant drop in their productivity due to the reconfiguration of the Île-aux-Tourtes bridge.

According to the survey, the main economic impact remains, for the time being, reduced productivity. The big-box companies surveyed are also seeing a drop in sales, and manufacturers are worried about winning new contracts.

"It's the perfect storm! The obstacles on the bridge are delaying many orders, procurement is becoming more complex, costs are rising, the public sector is on strike... All these factors put a lot of pressure on companies. It's a very difficult and stressful time," says Pierjean Savard, DEV Director and President of Vaudreuil-Dorion-based Conteneurs Experts.

"In an already difficult economic context, we are very concerned about the impact of the bridge on business operations," adds Guy Pilon, President of DEV and Mayor of Vaudreuil-Dorion.

Impact on human resources

One in two companies reports that more than 30% of their workforce is affected by the severe congestion. This translates mainly into a massive increase in delays.

What's more, there has been an increase in absenteeism, with many employees choosing to take time off rather than face the traffic. When asked to assess their staff's stress, employers estimate that it has increased by 65% compared with the situation prior to November 25 (the date of the first hindrance).

"Our employees' productive time is reduced, especially as many have to leave early to pick up children from daycare, for example. This impact on operations worries me, and I'm concerned about employee morale if the situation continues for much longer," says Éric Dugas, DEV director and president of Amylior, a company located just off Highway 40 in Vaudreuil-Dorion.

Impact on the supply chain

The vast majority of companies surveyed are experiencing supply chain delays, and 50% of them are already experiencing cost increases, which are bound to have an impact on consumers.

They must now adapt to requests for delivery schedule revisions (100%), delivery inabilities or postponements (79%) and delivery cancellations (58%). In addition, 60% of companies with shipping activities must also review their delivery schedules.

Mitigation measures

At the end of the survey, companies were asked which measures to implement would be most beneficial to their business. In addition to improving intra-regional public transport, 63% of respondents wanted, more than ever, the completion of Highway 20 between the cities of Vaudreuil-Dorion and Île Perrot.

"The issue of Highway 20 has been supported by elected officials and DEV for a long time, and we will be adding this business recommendation to those already made to the authorities responsible for the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility. The current situation once again demonstrates the urgent need to complete this road link, which is vital to the entire Quebec economy," says Guy Pilon.

Traders to have their say in January

Although it's still too early to qualify and quantify the impact of the obstacles on merchants' and restaurateurs' traffic and sales, DEV's team believes it will be significant. Accordingly, in early January, after the busiest period of the year, a survey will be carried out among retailers and restaurateurs to translate the impact of the obstacles into lost revenue and goodwill.

"We will continue to be the voice of businesses in our dealings with government bodies to help them overcome this situation. In the meantime, let's support our local merchants! I invite the citizens of Vaudreuil-Soulanges and the greater Montreal region to show their solidarity and do their holiday shopping online or directly at the Vaudreuil-Soulanges merchants' place of business," concludes DEV General Manager Joanne Brunet.

Nearly 50 companies, representing over 9,000 employees, responded to the survey prepared by the DEV team.