On November 3, The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) was established under the Canada Business Corporations Act. At the time, it was a wholly-owned subsidiary of SLSA. Later, on December 21, JCCBI became responsible for the management, maintenance and monitoring of the Jacques Cartier Bridge, the Champlain Bridge and a section of the Bonaventure Expressway.

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

On March 26, 1979, JCCBI wrote to H.H.L. Pratley, the engineer who had overseen the design and construction of the Champlain Bridge. The letter sought explanations regarding design, durability and the supervision of work while the bridge was under construction.

In 1979, JCCBI also issued major contracts for the maintenance of the original Champlain Bridge. The following work was involved:

• The original lighting system had to be replaced in sections 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the corridor, just 17 years after the bridge opened.
• Cracks (above water level) were injected on piers 1W to 17W and 1E to 9E.
• Damaged piers were repaired using shotcrete.
• The ends of the girders were repaired.

In 1978, JCCBI introduced a dedicated contraflow bus lane during rush hours. Announced as a temporary measure, it remained in place until the bridge was closed in 2019. Every rush hour, it allowed for the movement of more than 30,000 people.

Credit: JCCBI
Reserved bus lane in the opposite direction during peak hour.