Deconstruction of the original Champlain Bridge: Major work blitzes this fall in the sector of Hwy. 132
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
Deconstruction of the original Champlain Bridge: Major work blitzes this fall in the sector of Hwy. 132
Longueuil, September 12, 2022 – The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) would like to advise the public that major work blitzes will take place this fall in the Brossard sector as part of the deconstruction of the original Champlain Bridge. The spans above Hwy. 132 as well as their supporting piers will be demolished in a key milestone for this important project.
This major work will be carried out by Nouvel Horizon Saint-Laurent G.P. (NHSL) during six weekend blitzes from mid-September to late November. Depending on the work to be done, major traffic hindrances are to be expected and will include the complete closure of Hwy. 132 or Marie-Victorin Blvd. in one or both directions.
“This fall, the last components of the original Champlain Bridge will disappear from the South Shore. After 26 months of work, the deconstruction project is 67 % complete,” stated Sandra Martel, Chief Executive Officer of JCCBI. “To reduce the impact on traffic, the fall work dates were coordinated with our partners considering the work planned on the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine tunnel. Plus, we continue to work closely with NHSL to minimize the impact of the project on citizens,” she added.
“The Hwy. 132 sector is a key corridor for mobility in Montreal. This is why NHSL has developed deconstruction methods and sequences to maximize operations in the shortest amount of time in order to minimize the risks and impacts on traffic in the area. NHSL has also worked hand in hand with JCCBI, the MTQ, and different partners involved in managing this complex coordination effort,” explained Antoine Audoynaud, Interim Director of Construction, NHSL.
Different Methods
The work will begin with the removal of 8 modular trusses, which are reinforcements installed under the spans above Hwy. 132. These will be removed and placed on the ground by two cranes. The trusses will then be disassembled and trucked away for reuse. Three weekend blitzes are planned for September and October. Since this work is weather-sensitive, the dates may change.
Demolition of the sections of the bridge over Hwy. 132 will be done during a weekend blitz in November. Once the traffic lanes are protected, 16 specialized excavators will be started up to mechanically demolish the spans, girder by girder, as well as the piers. The crushed concrete will be removed and stored on either side of the road so that the pavement can be cleaned and so that the lanes can be reopened to traffic.
In the days following the work, the materials will be trucked away from the area for recovery by specialized recycling centres for each type of material. Note that more work to deconstruct the spans and piers on the jetty will take place from October 2022 to April 2023.
Impacts on Traffic
Overall, six weekend blitzes are required and will be carried out from 11:00 p.m. on Friday to 5:00 a.m. on Monday. Depending on the work, complete closure of Hwy. 132 and/or Marie-Victorin Blvd., in one or both directions are planned. September will also have 6 complete weeknight closures of Marie-Victorin Blvd., including its access and exit ramps.
Given the scope of the work and the tight schedule, other impacts are to be expected. A number of mitigation measures will therefore be put in place during this period.
Deconstruction Work Completed to Date
After 26 months, the deconstruction of the original Champlain Bridge is on schedule and is 67% complete. The two abutments, 39 spans, 38 piers, and 26 pier footings have been deconstructed so far.
Keep Up with the Project
As the fall work schedule may change depending on weather conditions, the public is invited to subscribe to JCCBI’s email alerts and to use mobility tools to plan their travel and avoid the area during the work.
Use the links below:
For real-time information about JCCBI’s work, follow the Twitter accounts for each of our structures: @pontJCBridge, @pontHMBridge, @pontChampBridge, @SecBonaventure and @mobiliteactive. To plan their travel, users can visit our website for live traffic conditions, live camera feeds, and our work advisories. Users can also subscribe to our email alerts to get updated information about the work and traffic hindrances planned on the structures under our responsibility.
About JCCBI
As a manager of important infrastructure, The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated is a Crown corporation established in 1978 that is responsible for the Jacques Cartier Bridge, the original Champlain Bridge, the Champlain Bridge Estacade, the Île des Sœurs Bypass Bridge, the federal sections of Bonaventure Expressway and the Honoré Mercier Bridge, as well as the Melocheville Tunnel. The Corporation manages, maintains, and repairs these important Greater Montreal structures to ensure the safe passage of thousands of users every day. It also ensures that these critical structures remain safe, fully functional and aesthetically pleasing both today and in the future. JacquesCartierChamplain.ca
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For more information:
Nathalie Lessard, Director, Communications
The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated
Office: 450-651-8771, extension 2232
Email: Contact us
Claudia Carbonneau, Advisor, Communications
Cell: 514-236-4093
Email: Contact us
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