New bridge over St. Lawrence expected in 2018

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MONTREAL, Que. – The scheduled timeline for the new bridge for the St. Lawrence has been accelerated.

The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and the Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec announced on December 1 that construction will be quicker than originally anticipated.

 “We will deliver the new bridge for the St. Lawrence in 2018, three years earlier than originally planned,” said Minister Lebel. “In fact, concrete actions to move the project ahead have already been taken.”

ARUP Canada Inc. was awarded the contract for engineering and coordination services on October 18, 2013. The company has accelerated the original timeline significantly, enabling the procurement process for the public-private partnership (PPP) to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the new bridge, which is slated to be launched in early sprint 2014, Lebel’s office said.

The accelerated timeline responds to the recommendations of the Buckland & Taylor report, prepared for the Jacques-Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) as part of the Champlain Bridge surveillance and maintenance program.

“While we cannot cut corners with infrastructure of such great importance for the metropolis and the economy of our country, we can certainly accelerate the process,” said Minister Lebel. “No effort will be spared to deliver this project on time and within budget, keeping travelers and goods moving safely and efficiently through this important trade and transportation corridor.”

On October 5, 2011, the Government of Canada announced that it would be building a new bridge to replace the Champlain Bridge. This bridge is one of the busiest in Canada, with $20 billion worth of international trade crossing it every year. The Champlain Bridge is a crucial corridor for the regional economy and for Canada as a whole. The project also meets the objectives of Canada’s gateway strategies.

To learn more about the new bridge for the St. Lawrence, please visit www.tc.gc.ca/nbfsl.

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