This morning, The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) held its Annual Public Meeting to review its activities and results for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. During this period, JCCBI invested $157.5 million in major work on the infrastructure under its responsibility, which includes the deconstruction of the original Champlain Bridge, which began in 2020.

“This past year, JCCBI continued to proactively manage its assets through major maintenance programs on the Jacques Cartier Bridge and Honoré Mercier Bridge. It also made significant progress with the deconstruction of the original Champlain Bridge, which will be completed as planned in January 2024,” said Catherine Lavoie, Chair of the Board of Directors. “Every day, the Corporation must effectively and efficiently manage organizational risks, mobility issues, and many technical and operational challenges while upholding good relations with the community. The team has been very successful at fulfilling its mission,” she concluded.

“This fiscal year capped off multiple years of work with confirmation of the Corporation’s funding for the next five years and approval of funding for the Bonaventure Expressway reconfiguration project. As a result, the Corporation can execute complex projects as well as its planned maintenance, repair and reinforcement programs on the infrastructure that it is responsible for,” said Sandra Martel, Chief Executive Officer, JCCBI. “Our multidisciplinary team performs this complex work for and with the community and with the support of partners and suppliers, whom I thank for their contribution.” 

Overview of main activities

The deconstruction of the original Champlain Bridge, which is being carried out by Nouvel Horizon Saint-Laurent G.P., made up of Pomerleau Inc. and Delsan-A.I.M. Environmental Services Inc., continued for a third year. The $93.4 million in work completed over this period included major work blitzes in fall 2022 to demolish the structural components above and near Hwy. 132. During the year, a total of 16 spans, 28 piers and 38 footings were deconstructed, and the marine work was also completed.

The Champlain Bridge deconstruction project includes other components, such as Héritage Champlain, which will start in 2024. Once the former bridge is gone, JCCBI will develop the freed-up land in three sectors—Île des Sœurs, Brossard and the seaway dike—to give the public access to the river while commemorating the former bridge. A public meeting was held in May 2023, and work on the project should end in December 2025.

For the Jacques Cartier Bridge, JCCBI invested $37.2 million in work during the year mainly to continue the steel and paint repair program under the deck and on the superstructure. Plans and specifications were prepared for work to maintain and preserve the Île Sainte-Hélène Pavilion. To enhance the experience and safety of active mobility users, JCCBI installed equipment on the sidewalk and multipurpose path, such as new radar speed signs, safety and other winter condition signs, and anti-glare fencing in some curves.

JCCBI also carried out work on the Honoré Mercier Bridge in collaboration with the Mohawk First Nation of Kahnawà:ke. Totalling $19 million, this work mainly involved continuing the program to repair the piers and replace the paint system on part of the steel structure. A section of the inspection platforms was also replaced.

No major work was carried out on the Bonaventure Expressway this year. However, prefeasibility studies were completed, including one for the project to reconfigure the expressway into a boulevard. The plans and specifications required to deconstruct the Île des Sœurs Bypass Bridge were completed, and work on this project has been ongoing for several weeks. These studies, specifications and plans totalled $7.2 million for the year.

To find out more about JCCBI’s projects in 2022-2023, click the links below:

• Annual Report 2022-2023
• Summary video for 2022-2023
• Presentation given at the Annual Public Meeting