MONTREAL, Que. — Just weeks after announcing funding for a new crossing across the St. Lawrence River in Montreal, which would replace the crumbling Champlain Bridge, the feds met with municipal leaders to collect input into the new bridge.

Federal Transport Minister Denis Lebel met with the mayors of Montreal, Longueuil and Brossard to discuss the new bridge, with items including tolling and public transport on the agenda.

“The views of the Montreal, Longueuil and Brossard mayors are essential to a good planning process for the new bridge over the St. Lawrence,” said Lebel. “That is why I am listening to their opinions. The efficiency of this corridor for drivers, public transit users and truckers contributes to the quality of life of residents and workers of greater Montreal, and is a vital part of the economy of the region and the country as a whole.”

The six-lane Champlain Bridge is the busiest vehicular bridge in Canada, with more than 60 million vehicles and $20 billion in trade crossing the bridge every year. It serves as an essential trade corridor for the regional economy with spinoff benefits to the national economy and is a key part of Canada’s “gateway strategies,” according to the federal government.

Preliminary work on a new crossing is now underway and meetings with stakeholders will continue, the feds announced.