Today, The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) launched a Canada-wide competition for the reuse of materials from the original Champlain Bridge. This competition is part of a circular economy approach to reclaim materials according to the 4RE, in which materials are reduced, reused, recycled or recovered as a priority and only then eliminated. JCCBI therefore wants to give a second life to over 400 steel components from the original Champlain Bridge.
 

This Material Reuse Competition begins with a Call for Participation to allow JCCBI to gauge the interest of individuals, companies and organizations in reusing steel components from the bridge for architectural, artistic, commemorative or creative projects, which can be private or public in nature and relate to construction, the rehabilitation of public infrastructure, urban planning, or ecology. 
 

“By finding creative ways to reuse, recycle and upgrade materials from the original Champlain Bridge, the JCCBI will minimize the environmental footprint of this major project. I can’t wait to see the ideas brought forward by Canadians to reduce waste and give this bridge a second life while paying tribute to its history,” said the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.
 

“Beyond the technical challenges tackled every day to deconstruct the original Champlain Bridge, JCCBI is committed to minimizing the environmental footprint of this major project. The Material Reuse Competition will let citizens and corporations help us achieve our sustainable development goals. Above all, this initiative is an opportunity for people to put their creativity into making heritage pieces or artworks that memorialize this important Montreal structure,” explained Sandra Martel, Chief Executive Officer, JCCBI.
 

The Call for Participation has two parts. The first, which begins today and ends on May 31, involves submitting an Expression of Interest Form, which can be found on JCCBI’s website along with the competition’s Submission Guide and the Component Catalogue, which includes the symbolic cost for each part.

For more information about JCCBI’s Material Reuse Competition, please click here.