Today, The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) announced the 11 projects confirmed in the Canada-wide Material Reuse Competition, a unique initiative which aims at giving a new life to over 400 leftover steel components from the original Champlain Bridge.  

JCCBI launched this competition in June 2021 as part of its commitment to minimize the environmental footprint of the Champlain Bridge deconstruction. The submissions were reviewed by a committee of experts from the fields of the circular economy, architecture, visual art, urban planning, and industrial design. The feasibility of the projects was then verified by the JCCBI team. 

“This is a very innovative competition, and we are delighted with the variety of recreational, artistic, commemorative and community-based projects that were confirmed. They include unique works created entirely by artists as well as industrial projects that will honour the memory of this important Montreal structure. The participants have shown creativity and innovation, and we look forward to seeing these proposals come to life,” said Sandra Martel, Chief Executive Officer, JCCBI.  

The 11 projects are as follows:  

• A Bicycle: A piece of steel transformed into a bicycle and bicycle rack – Jacques Gallant – Métallerie Gallant Metalworks inc. 
• Circa: A glass-encased work of art – Zoé Lavigne and Benoit Michaud – Paramètre Designlab inc.   
• Connecté d’un pôle à l’autre: The integration of public art into urban space – William Atkinson – Devimco Immobilier. 
• Habitat multi: A prototype for a mixed greenhouse / animal production site on a family farm in Ange-Gardien – Christian Grenier – Ferme du Grenier Gardangeois inc.  
• Mémoire: A public multimedia installation – James Kennedy. 
• Multiple projects: Furniture for schools in Brossard – Danny Du Mays – Centre de services scolaires Marie-Victorin. 
• Réparer notre blessure: A work of art to beautify and enhance a sector of Ville-Émard/Côte-Saint-Paul – Daniel Duranleau and Vincent Daoust – La Table de concertation de Ville-Émard/Côte Saint-Paul. 
• Structure Poly Tria IA: An environmentally friendly structure used to recycle computer equipment – Paul Clas – Polyal Polytechnique Montréal. 
• Sunshine Bridge: A steel footbridge that connects different camp sites at a scout camp in Elgin, Montérégie – Cory Ovans – Dunn Memorial Scout Camp.  
• The Champlain Bridge Watch: Watches made with steel from the Champlain Bridge – Steve Christensen – Novo Watch. 
• Un pont vers l’autosuffisance: A residential greenhouse project incorporated into its natural environment to maximize energy efficiency – Samuel Pelletier, Charles Boivin and Jean-François Marceau. 

In 2021, the Canada-wide Material Reuse Competition also won a Prix initiatives circulaires presented by Québec circulaire and RECYC-QUÉBEC. This competition was recognized as one of the best circular economy initiatives in Quebec, particularly because it allows citizens and corporations to help JCCBI achieve its sustainable development goals. 

For more information about these projects: 

• Learn more about the 11 projects 
• Consult the photo album