This page contains information about the work schedule for the Champlain Bridge deconstruction. You can also see how the deconstruction is progressing on our Live Work Site section, which shows images from cameras installed at strategic points at the site that will let you keep up with the work being done on Île des Sœurs.
You can also learn more about the methods to deconstruct the Champlain Bridge on this page. We will be providing more information about these methods in fall 2020.
Different methods will be used depending on the section to be deconstructed and the bridge components to be taken down.
Around 65% of the work will be done from work platforms in the water that are away from residential areas.
Work to deconstruct the Champlain Bridge will take place over 43 months until January 2024. This global schedule shows the major upcoming milestones for the different sections of the Champlain Bridge.
On Île des Sœurs, the deconstruction work will finish in summer 2021.
For Section 5 over the river to the seaway, the work will be carried out in the water and will have little impact on mobility.
For section 6 over the seaway, most of the work will be carried out in winter so as not to hinder marine transportation.
Work on Section 7 on the Brossard side will start in spring 2022.
Once the Champlain Bridge deconstruction is complete, JCCBI will begin redeveloping the shoreline.
Work planned for January and February 2021
Development of two fish migration corridors around the Île des Sœurs jetty
Continuation of work from the Île des Sœurs shoreline to deconstruct the Champlain Bridge deck
Start-up of marine equipment near the seaway dike
Development of the section of the jetty next to the seaway in Brossard
Note that the schedule may change depending on how the work progresses and on weather conditions.
In the Île des Sœurs sector, NHSL began deconstructing the fifth span of the bridge in early January. Mitigation measures have been deployed to minimize the impact of truck traffic, and trucks are using predetermined routes to avoid residential neighbourhoods.
Construction of a temporary pier has begun on Île des Sœurs and will continue throughout this winter with the creation of two fish migration corridors.
JCCBI is also carrying out projects to compensate for fish habitat that may be lost due to the construction of the piers. These projects nevertheless represent a gain for the environment, as the construction-site impacts are temporary, while the positives of the compensation projects will be permanent!
The installation of the pier on the Brossard side (Phase 1) has begun and the widening of the pier (Phase 2) will start in spring 2021. Finally, a third pier will be built on the St. Lawrence Seaway dike (near the Champlain Bridge Estacade) in 2021.
All of these piers will be used to take down structural bridge components along the shoreline where barges cannot be used due to the shallow water depth.
In the Île des Sœurs sector, NHSL will start deconstructing the shoreline spans and piers in October, and this work will last for 9 months. Mitigation measures will be deployed to minimize the impact of truck traffic, and trucks will use predetermined routes to avoid residential neighbourhoods.
Sound level meters and air quality measurement stations will also be installed to ensure compliance with standards. A short-term partial traffic hindrance will be set up on Île-des-Sœurs Boulevard. The details of this traffic hindrance will be issued shortly.
Noise due to the deconstruction work and the off-site transportation of materials.
Dust emissions.
Occasional local traffic hindrances.
Sound level metres at the work site to ensure compliance with standards.
Air quality monitoring stations to ensure compliance with standards.
The bridge deconstruction from the Île des Sœurs jetty is going well. NHSL crews are completing the demolition cycle for the span near René-Lévesque Blvd. Each demolition cycle lasts approximately two weeks and includes preparatory and protection activities. The next step in the cycle is the mechanical demolition of the span, with clean-up as the last step. The cycle for some spans may take a little longer if components have to be removed for the Research and Development program.
This cycle will be repeated four times in the coming months to deconstruct the entire deck over the Île des Sœurs jetty. The deconstruction of the pier caps, piers and footings that support these decks will follow, with the goal of completing all deconstruction work on the Île des Sœurs jetty by summer 2021. To maintain peace and quiet for residents, sound level meters and air quality measurement stations have been installed at different spots around the work site. Note that no citizen complaints have been received during this work.
Method: Traditional mechanical deconstruction on land
Work steps:
Preparatory work
Dismantling of components (overhead signage, lights, etc.)
Components removed for the Research and Development program
Removal of reinforcements
Installation of temporary supports
Deconstruction of the spans and piers
Disposal and removal of debris
Restoration of the area
Method: Deconstruction from a platform on a catamaran barge
Work steps:
Preparatory work
Dismantling of components (overhead signage, lights, etc.)
Components removed for the Research and Development program
Removal of reinforcements
Span recovered with a system of platforms attached to lifting towers installed on a catamaran barge
Deconstruction of the span on the catamaran barge
Barge-based mechanical deconstruction of the piers and footings above and below the water level, from top to bottom
Debris disposal by barge
Methods used to remove the steel structure:
The suspended span will be placed on a barge with strand jacks and dismantled on the barge piece by piece.
The cantilever sections and anchor spans will be taken apart piece by piece using a crane set up on temporary jetties.
The piers will be mechanically deconstructed with high-capacity excavators.
Different structural components such as concrete panels, bearings, and girders were also given to the groups of the Research and Development program that is going on during the original Champlain Bridge deconstruction project.
