Champlain Bridge Refurbishment Could Cost $5 Billion

The massive Turcot Interchange isn’t the only piece of transportation infrastructure in Quebec that needs immediate attention. The federally-owned Champlain Bridge, opened in 1962, has been aged by road salt and a high volume of traffic (it’s the most heavily travelled bridge in Canada). A feasibility study for the replacement of the bridge has been underway since 2009–the possibility of a tunnel has even been discussed.

During the election campaign this April, the Tories promised, on top of $2.2-billion in HST funding for Quebec, a refurbished Champlain Bridge. But the estimated budget was $1 billion, according to the CBC. According to La Presse, a document obtained through access-to-information says the cost is closer to $5 billion.

The question is, how will engineers improve on the original design so the bridge will age less rapidly and can be more easily maintained?

Photo Credit:  Société PJCCI