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Work to deconstruct the abutment of the Champlain Bridge on Île des Sœurs is now 60% complete. The Nouvel Horizon Saint-Laurent (NHSL) consortium had initially removed some reinforcements and installed temporary supports under the structure.
Bridge components such as concrete panels, bearings and girders have been given to the groups participating in the Research and Development program.
Up to eight excavators are being used to mechanically deconstruct the abutment from the two spans, pier cap, and pier near René-Lévesque Boulevard. Once taken down, the abutment alone will generate 2,200 tonnes of concrete that will be recycled at nearby sorting centres.
All of the work, including landscaping in the area, will be completed by the end of September. Note that René-Lévesque Boulevard has been reopened to traffic.
Environmental experts are closely monitoring sound levels and air quality to ensure compliance with standards.
Construction of temporary piers
As the abutment is taken down, construction of a temporary pier has begun on Île des Sœurs and will continue throughout winter 2020-2021 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) began a few weeks ago, 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. Fish habitat projects are in the works to compensate for an area equal to that of all the piers.
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