New Champlain Bridge ready for traffic in 2019
Montreal, Quebec, October 25, 2018 – The Government of Canada’s priority is to deliver a quality, toll-free new Champlain Bridge as soon as possible without compromising the safety of workers and the public, and ensuring sound management of taxpayers’ money.
The construction of the new Champlain Bridge is vital to ensuring the continued safe and efficient daily passage of local commuters, tourists and millions of dollars in international trade. This federal infrastructure investment is ensuring a modern and sustainable crossing between Montreal and the South Shore. This bridge, which is being built to last 125 years, is creating thousands of well-paying jobs that are helping to grow the middle class and creating new economic opportunities.
A technical briefing and project site visit on the Champlain Bridge Corridor project were held today for media. During the update, Signature on the St. Lawrence (SSL), the private consortium responsible for building and operating the new corridor, announced that despite the progress that has been made over the last few months, the new Champlain Bridge will not be ready to open to traffic this December. The opening will take place no later than June 2019 and the official date will be confirmed in the new year.
SSL reported significant progress has been made on the bridge and indicated that the main structure of the bridge will be complete by December 21st, 2018. They noted, however, that some important weather-dependent permanent work, including waterproofing and paving, is unlikely to commence until early spring.
The new Champlain Bridge Corridor project is one of the largest infrastructure projects in North America. Throughout this project, the Government of Canada has maintained its objective of ensuring a high quality bridge that will meet the long-term needs of Canadians.
The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI), which is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the existing Champlain Bridge, also provided an update on the measures it is taking to ensure safe and uninterrupted service until the new bridge opens.
“The Government of Canada’s priority is to ensure the new toll-free Champlain Bridge is built to endure without ever compromising the safety of workers or the public. Today’s construction update makes clear that significant progress has been made on this critically important project and that final work necessary to open the bridge to traffic will take place in the new year. I commend everyone who has contributed to this ambitious project. Your dedication and innovation is truly inspiring and I have no doubt it will continue as we set our sights on the opening of the new Champlain Bridge in 2019.”
The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
Quick facts
The Champlain Bridge is safe and continually being monitored. In recent years, The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated has implemented an effective reinforcement plan for the bridge. Its innovative measures and leading-edge expertise in the repair of this infrastructure have ensured that the structure of the bridge is safe.
