On September 26, 2013, Buckland & Taylor Ltd. issued a report stating that even with the existing level of investment, the bridge would soon reach the end of its useful life. The replacement of the bridge therefore needed to be accelerated if road access between the South Shore and Montreal was to be maintained. Meanwhile, Minister Lebel announced that the Government of Canada would accelerate plans to replace the bridge. A target was set for late 2018.

Reference map of the original Champlain Bridge to clearly locate the different sections and piers.

Finally, in November 2013, two significant flexural cracks were detected in the middle of Girder P7 on Span 28W-29W. The situation was further assessed using an optical extensometer.

Installation of the superbeam

In November 2013, a crack was found during an inspection in an edge girder on a section of the bridge leading to the South Shore. JCCBI responded by implementing the risk management plan that had been prepared by its engineers. A 75-ton prefabricated superbeam was used to stabilize the cracked girder, while maintaining traffic flow on the bridge. 

The installation of this three-metre-high, 66-metre-long steel girder required four traffic lanes to be closed for two days.

The superbeam offered a number of benefits. For instance, it would fully reinforce the cracked girder. It could also be prefabricated and kept in storage. Above all, in the event of an emergency, it could be installed in less than two weeks.

However, the installation of the superbeam significantly increased the load on the bridge structure.

Credit: JCCBI
Engineers oversee the installation of the support beam in November 2013.

Credit: JCCBI
Installation of the support beam.

Credit: JCCBI
Two cranes were needed to install the superbeam.

Construction of the temporary bypass bridge

The construction of a temporary bypass bridge between Montreal and Île des Sœurs began in August 2013. Opened in December 2014, the structure had the same number of lanes as the previous bridge, as well as a wider bike path and a reserved public transit lane.

Credit: JCCBI
Aerial view of the bypass bridge inaugurated in December 2014.

Modular trusses replace the superbeam

In June 2014, the superbeam was replaced by a modular truss. The same innovative, highly effective reinforcement method was then applied to all 100 edge girders between 2014 and 2018.

Credit: JCCBI
Replacement of the superbeam with a modular truss.

These modular trusses consisted of additional steel structures installed under the edge girders to supplement the piers. They were designed to fully absorb the girder loads and compensate for future degradation.

Credit: JCCBI
From superbeam to modular truss.