Bob Rae and the federal Liberal party harshly criticized the government for what they say is inaction on the Champlain Bridge issue.

Liberal leader Bob Rae said the Harper government has wasted five years dithering instead of working towards a solution.

The criticism comes on the heels of a report that details the costs and feasibility of replacing the Champlain Bridge. The report includes a plan and budget for replacing the existing bridge with a new one, or with a tunnel.

In local news, getting around by car this summer is about to become an even bigger challenge in Montreal. That's because, starting Wednesday, Transport Quebec is closing lanes along one span of the Ville-Marie expressway.

The lane closures will affect both directions and are due to more roadwork scheduled for the next four months. Transport Quebec announced the lane closures on Tuesday.

One lane heading west will be closed  between Panet St. and the University St. exit. One lane, and in some areas two lanes, heading east will be closed between the entrance of the Ville Marie tunnel and Panet St.

In local news, the city of Montreal announced on Tuesday that it will start work around Beaver Lake. The work will include rebuilding the stone wall around Beaver Lake, improving the water circulation and cleaning up undesirable plants.

The city has also announced that it will renovate the parking lot and install lighting, as well as new park furnitures. Rowboats will be replacing pedal boats.

The renovations will start in 2012, and most services and activities will still be running while the work is being done.

The Laval police have launched an inquiry into the behavior of their officers. Photos of two of their officers sleeping in their police cruiser were sent to local media. The patrol car was parked under some trees behind Tourism Laval on Saint Martin Boulevard on Saturday morning. 

The department’s spokesperson said sleeping in a patrol car outside work hours does not violate the code of conduct. But it does go against the department’s work ethic. 

The inquiry was announced in a news release issued Tuesday evening.