Today, The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) launched the second phase of its Canada-wide competition for the reuse of materials from the original Champlain Bridge. This competition is a unique opportunity for over 400 steel components from the Champlain Bridge to be reused for architectural, artistic, commemorative or creative projects.

Note that JCCBI is committed to minimizing the environmental footprint of the Champlain Bridge deconstruction. In February, it therefore launched a Material Reuse Competition with an optional call for interest. The competition’s official submission period begins today and runs until December 31, 2021. Individuals, companies and organizations that want to reuse one or more steel components from the Champlain Bridge for a public or private project must enter a Submission Form to participate. The Corporation has also posted an online catalogue of 400 steel components that also details each one’s symbolic cost.

“By reusing materials from the original Champlain Bridge, Canadian creators and entrepreneurs have the opportunity to create unique works that will perpetuate the rich history of this iconic bridge, all while minimizing the environmental footprint of its deconstruction. I congratulate JCCBI for this competition, which illustrates how the economic reuse of materials can also significantly benefit the principle of sustainable development,” said the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.

“The Champlain Bridge had a major impact on Greater Montreal’s history. We hope that the Material Reuse Competition will lead to the creation of legacies throughout neighbourhoods in Montreal and Brossard as well as in different cities of Quebec and Canada that honour the memory of this structure. Our individual and collective imaginations and creativity know no bounds, and we look forward to seeing these projects come to life,” said Sandra Martel, Chief Executive Officer, JCCBI.

The submissions will be analyzed in early 2022 by a committee of seven experts who work in the fields of the circular economy, architecture, visual art, urban planning, and industrial design. JCCBI is planning to announce the successful projects in spring 2022. This competition is part of a circular economy approach to reclaim materials according to the 4RE, in which they are reduced, reused, recycled or recovered as a priority and only then eliminated.

To enter the competition, simply fill out the Submission Form on the JCCBI website, where the Submission Guide and the Component Catalogue are also available. For more details, visit our website.