Nearly 4,000 keepsake rivets from the original Champlain Bridge given out to the public

September 11, 2023 Champlain deconstruction The Corporation

The deconstruction of the original Champlain Bridge is almost complete, and The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) marked this historic event by handing out rivets from the bridge’s steel structure. Approximately 4,000 rivets were given out to the public at two events held over the weekend on September 9 and 10 in Brossard and on Île des Sœurs.

“Given that the deconstruction of the original Champlain Bridge is almost finished, we were pleased to hold this event for residents, who came out in large numbers. Many told us about how grateful they were to have a keepsake from this iconic structure that holds many memories for them,” said Sandra Martel, Chief Executive Officer of JCCBI. “These rivets are part of the 25,000 tonnes of steel from the project that we aimed to recover. They also come from the bridge’s steel superstructure, or the part that was most visible and held the most significance for the public,” she added.

“Brossard’s economic and demographic development in recent decades is intimately linked to this roadway that united us to Montreal since 1962, and which allowed many commercial and social bridges to be erected. The original Champlain Bridge was part of the Brossard landscape for 57 years. Our citizens certainly have a lot of memories attached to it. It is a wonderful idea to allow them to preserve a piece of the history of the city – and their history. The Champlain Bridge will continue to exist in many Brossard homes,” said Doreen Assaad, Mayor of Brossard.

“I am delighted that the deconstruction of the Champlain Bridge was carried out while being respectful of the environment and the neighboring populations,” said Verdun Borough Mayor and member of the Executive Committee, Marie-Andrée Mauger. “I applaud the initiative of The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated to offer our citizens keepsakes of the former Champlain Bridge, demonstrating the important role played by this transport infrastructure in the development of Verdun and the entire city,” added Ms. Mauger.

287,000 tonnes of materials

Many innovative programs, including environmental protection and sustainable development initiatives, were deployed for this project. JCCBI is on track to meeting its target of recovering 90% of these materials. No fewer than 12 research and development projects are in progress to help us learn more about this structure and advance knowledge about major infrastructure. Our pan-Canadian Material Reuse Competition also resulted in 11 projects that will give a second life to hundreds of steel components.

Héritage Champlain: A legacy for the public

The Héritage Champlain component will cap off the Champlain Bridge deconstruction project and leave a public legacy that will commemorate this structure after it is gone. The land freed up once the bridge deconstruction is finished—i.e. the shoreline of Île des Sœurs and Brossard as well as the St. Lawrence Seaway dike—will include a total area of seven hectares that will be redeveloped. Work on the Héritage Champlain component will begin in 2024 and end in 2025.

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