The Government of Canada has announced that the new Champlain Bridge Corridor project will not open on December 21st, 2018 as originally mandated as part of the contract signed between the Government of Canada and the successful proponent.
During a technical briefing at the site, 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 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,” said Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Francois-Philippe Champagne. “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 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 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.
