Project to reinforce, clean, and paint the superstructure of the Jacques Cartier Bridge (JCP0057)

At 90 years old, the Jacques Cartier Bridge is in relatively good condition. Work for this project is part of a strategic planning process to keep the bridge safe and operational until its 150th anniversary. The Jacques Cartier Bridge is more than just a structure in the road network: it is also a symbol and signature of Montreal and a piece of its identity. Symbolizing the importance of the city's port, the Jacques Cartier Bridge has a history that is deeply intertwined with that of Montreal. A proud fixture of the skyline, and now brightly lit thanks to its illumination project, the bridge also evokes the city's island morphology.

The general goal of this project is to perform work to upgrade and maintain components of the steel superstructure of the Jacques Cartier Bridge. The work includes aspects such as inspection and bearing capacity evaluation reports as well as various detailed studies recommending reinforcement and maintenance work to extend the Jacques Cartier Bridge's service life by 75 years.

The work will consist of repairs, reinforcements, cleaning, and painting of the steel superstructure of the Jacques Cartier Bridge in the splash zone and under the deck for the main trusses and on all chords attached to the underside of the deck. This work will require the installation of a temporary work platform under the bridge deck.

This work on the Jacques Cartier Bridge superstructure will take place from 2021 to 2024, and traffic hindrances will be required during this timeframe. These traffic hindrances are required to give contractors the necessary space to set up temporary installations and maintain safe distances between workers, equipment, and bridge users during the work. No long-term lane closures are planned. However, there may be extended periods when the width of the bicycle path may be reduced and sidewalk closures may be necessary. JCCBI is working with Mobility Montréal to coordinate our work and minimize its impact on users.

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The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) has determined that the reinforcement, cleaning and painting project of the superstructure of the Jacques Cartier Bridge (JCP-0057) is not likely to cause adverse environmental impacts.

It has made this determination based on the following factors:

  • The impacts on the rights of Indigenous peoples
  • Indigenous knowledge
  • Community knowledge
  • Comments received from the public
  • Mitigation measures that are technically and economically feasible

Mitigation measures have been planned for each of the potential impacts on the environment. The main mitigation measures that were considered to make this determination are as follows:

  • Develop and implement an emergency measures plan to respond to accidental spills, as required.
  • Create containment areas for steel, cleaning and painting work.
  • Store residues from the cleaning of structures in sealed containers and dispose of them at authorized sites.
  • Prohibit major work from being done in the water (e.g., a temporary berth on the piers or a jetty).
  • Prohibit any device that runs on hydrocarbons as well as any generator or a container that holds hydrocarbons or other hazardous materials from being operated within 20 metres of the river, unless it is installed on an impermeable structure.
  • Prohibit any water from the work site from being discharged into the river.
  • Minimize any removal of vegetation from the river.
  • Protect the wooded area south of Pier 23 by installing demarcation components (temporary fence, barrier tape, paint) to section off the area. There must be a distance of one metre between the demarcation and the trees on the edge of the wooded area to be protected.
  • Prior to the work done from April to June or from mid-August to October 2021, capture any brown snakes that may be in the area and relocate them to a suitable location nearby. This task should be performed by someone with expertise in wildlife relocation.
  • Install exclusion fencing to keep brown snakes out of the mobilization area at the base of Pier 23.
  • Prior to the work in the spring (preferably in early March), check whether any cliff swallows, peregrine falcons, or the nests of these species are within 200 metres of the work site.
  • Avoid carrying out activities on the deck between late February and late August 2021, i.e., the nesting period of these two species. If nests are found, maintain the 200-metre protection distance during the peregrine nesting time and the 20-metre protection distance for cliff swallows.
  • If work must be done during the nesting season, block off nesting sites found within the work areas before the nesting season begins.
  • Follow the conditions issued by Transport Canada as part of the application for approval under the Canada Navigable Waters Act (CNWA).
  • A noise management program must be developed and implemented.
  • Sites where steel work is performed will be contained with enclosures.
  • The paint used must match with the entire structure.

JCCBI has experience in carrying out similar work and is satisfied that this project is unlikely to cause adverse environmental impacts. Furthermore, a supervision firm has been retained to continuously monitor the work to ensure that the planned measures are being followed.

JCCBI will therefore go ahead and allow the project to proceed, either in whole or in part. .

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Contacts

Jacques-Cartier Champlain Bridges Inc.
Philippe Larouche, Environment Lead
1225, Saint-Charles W. Suite 500
Longueuil, Quebec J4K 0B9
Telephone: 450-651-8771
Fax: 450-677-6912
Email: communications@pjcci.ca


  • Location

    • Montreal (Quebec)
  • Nature of Activity

    • Bridges
  • Assessment Status

    Completed
  • Start Date

    2021-02-18
  • Proponent

    Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated
  • Authorities

    • Jacques-Cartier Champlain Bridges
    • Transport Canada
  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands
  • Reference Number

    81384
Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

 

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...within 200 kilometres
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