The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) is launching the Solution Bonaventure project to protect the St. Lawrence River through mitigation measures to confine and treat contaminated groundwater along the federal section of the Bonaventure Expressway.

Thanks to joint efforts made by federal, provincial and municipal authorities, this innovative environmental project will enable responsible management for the complex problems caused by the former landfill site for industrial and household waste that was active between 1866 and 1966.

“Support from the Government of Canada through the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan attests to our commitment to make concrete and lasting improvements to the quality of water and aquatic ecosystems and ensure the future of the St. Lawrence River, which is a jewel of our natural heritage,” stated the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport of Canada. “The Solution Bonaventure represents a major investment in green infrastructure to build healthy communities.”

As different contaminants were found in each sector, JCCBI led studies and working groups to identify the environmental issues, evaluate contaminant management scenarios, and coordinate their implementation. Solution Bonaventure has been a successful collaboration between the three levels of government, with support from the private sector.

“JCCBI has taken on a complex project to responsibly manage this environmental problem. Today, our team’s leadership, thoroughness and innovation have resulted in the successful launch of this large-scale initiative,” explained Glen P. Carlin, Chief Executive Officer of JCCBI. “I want to thank all of our partners and staff members who have been actively involved in this project over the years and who have helped us find innovative integrated solutions.” 

Photo. From left to right, Paul T. Kefalas, Chairman of the Board, JCCBI, Glen P. Carlin, Chief Executive Officer, JCCBI, Benoit Dorais, Mayor of the South West, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport of Canada, Réal Ménard, Executive committee member in charge of sustainable development, the environment, large parks and green spaces for the Ville de Montréal.

Solution for the west sector

The west sector includes the land along the Bonaventure Expressway facing Île des Sœurs at the approach of the Champlain Bridge. Testing in this area revealed that groundwater contaminated with ammonia nitrogen, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and dissolved metals was discharging into the river. 

In this sector, JCCBI will create a containment system made up of a hydraulic barrier and a series of wells installed along the shore. Through active pumping, this barrier will intercept contaminated groundwater and carry it to an on-site treatment system. Once the water has been treated and tested for compliance with the applicable criteria, the water will be discharged into the river through an existing outlet.

This project is being conducted jointly with the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques du Québec (MDDELCC). Sanexen Services Environnementaux Inc., a Quebec company that specializes in rehabilitating contaminated sites, was hired to design and build the groundwater pumping and treatment system and to finance, operate and maintain it over a 15-year period.

Construction work on the new treatment system will start in June 2016, followed by run-in testing before it becomes operational in 2017.

“The Bonaventure Solution project is an excellent example of the full force of action that concerted stakeholders can deploy when they decide to work together and successfully carry out promising projects to protect the St. Lawrence River. Development implemented in a responsible manner, as is the case here, generates significant benefits in terms of growing Québec’s economy, protecting the environment and ensuring the population’s well-being,” noted the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight against Climate Change, David Heurtel.

Solution for the east sector

The east sector includes the section of the Bonaventure Expressway between the Clément Bridge and Victoria Bridge. Here, testing has detected free-phase petroleum hydrocarbons (diesel) contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). These hydrocarbons float at the top of groundwater.

In this sector, JCCBI will build a retaining wall to contain and capture PCB-contaminated hydrocarbons. Recovery stations at each end of the wall will collect the contaminants, which will then be disposed of properly. Thanks to this system, hydrocarbons will be contained and captured before they migrate to the river.

Work on this solution will start in the coming weeks. The containment system should be operational at the start of 2017.

“We thank the Government of Canada for its investment in managing the contaminated land under its responsibility. This commitment fits perfectly with the vision shared by all partners and the joint effort to rehabilitate the Pointe-Saint-Charles industrial park. The long-term success of this project will be determined by improvements to water quality in the St. Lawrence River in the context of sustainable development,” stated Mr. Réal Ménard, Executive committee member in charge of sustainable development, the environment, large parks and green spaces for the Ville de Montréal.