The Samuel De Champlain Bridge achieves major construction milestone

Minister Champagne announces new name for the bridge and visits the worksite  

MONTREAL, Dec. 19, 2018 /CNW/ - Effective and sustainable transportation infrastructure is essential to building inclusive and strong communities. These projects improve Canadians' quality of life by reducing travel time and supporting the creation of good jobs for the middle class and those working hard to join it.

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities today visited the newly-named Samuel De Champlain Bridge, one of the largest infrastructure projects in North America where he thanked the workers who have reached an important construction milestone in this important project. With the last segments in place, the bridge's structure is now essentially complete spanning the entire 3.4 kilometres between the South Shore and Montreal.

The Minister also took this occasion to announce that this world-class structure will be called the Samuel De Champlain Bridge. The new name follows the example of other bridges in Montreal, which include the full names of the historic figures they honour. Samuel De Champlain is an important historic figure for Canada, Quebec, and the Montreal region whose exploration and mapping activities were vital to building Canada. This decision was made following stakeholder and public consultations conducted earlier this year.  

Minister Champagne also highlighted the recent completion by the Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) of all measures in its reinforcement plan to ensure safe and uninterrupted service of the existing Champlain bridge until the Samuel De Champlain Bridge is open to traffic.

The Samuel De Champlain Bridge will ensure 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. Built to last 125 years, this new bridge and highway corridor is creating thousands of well-paying jobs that are helping grow the middle class and create new economic opportunities.

Quote

"It is a privilege to walk on the deck of the bridge that will soon connect travellers between Montreal and the South Shore with these proud and dedicated workers. With the completion of this critical milestone the project is moving another step closer to being open to traffic by June 2019, at the latest. The new Samuel De Champlain Bridge is one of the largest worksites in North America, and one of the most modern in terms of engineering and urban integration."  

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

Quick facts

• The Samuel De Champlain Bridge will be open to traffic no later than June 30, 2019 without compromising the health and safety of the workers or the quality of the work, while ensuring the sound management of public funds and while respecting the terms of the contract.
• Samuel De Champlain was a French-born explorer and cartographer who first voyaged to Canada in 1603. He was a key figure in the founding of New France until his death in 1635.
• Following his first visit to Canada he published one of the earliest known maps of the St. Lawrence River along with an account of his voyage. He is also recognized as the founder of Quebec City in 1608.
• The existing Champlain Bridge is safe and closely monitored in real time. Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) is vigilantly managing the bridge to ensure its security through the implementation of reinforcement measures, regular inspections and continuous monitoring.

Associated links

For more information about the new Champlain Bridge project: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/nbsl-npsl/index-eng.html and http://www.newchamplain.ca

Learn more about how the cable-stayed portion of the bridge was constructed: http://www.newchamplain.ca/2018/11/the-cable-stayed-bridge-signature-element-of-the-new-bridge/

Finding of the consultation with stakeholders and the Canadian public on the naming of the new bridge: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/nbsl-npsl/name-nom-eng.html

Twitter: @INFC_eng 
Website: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada