Assessment of the works carried out in 2014 by the JCCBI: More major works but fewer traffic hindrances and a new reserved bus lane Français
LONGUEUIL, QC, Dec. 9, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) held a technical briefing this morning with members of the media in order to present an assessment of the major works that were carried out on its network over the past year.
Fewer traffic hindrances, more major works
By consolidating and optimizing worksites in the Champlain Bridge corridor, the JCCBI was able to reduce the number of major hindrances resulting from work blitzes by 25%. Operations were carried out over six weekends, instead of the eight initially planned. These major works required hundreds of workers on-site 24 hours a day and allowed five to six worksites to operate simultaneously.
Major repairs were also carried out in 2014 on JCCBI's network. For example, a new concrete deck was installed on a section of the Honoré Mercier Bridge and Bonaventure Expressway, Champlain Bridge's Ice Bridge was completely repaved, the first phase of reconstructing a major viaduct on the A-15 was completed, and a new bridge is now open to commuters travelling between Montreal and île des Sœurs.
New reserved bus lane in service
The new île des Sœurs bypass bridge was inaugurated in October, ahead of the schedule planned. After a tests day on Monday, December 8, the new reserved bus lane on the bridge is now open. During rush hours, it extends the reserved bus lane in the Champlain Bridge corridor by near one kilometre.
Thanks to this new bus lane, the traffic light operating in the afternoon on the A-15 Northbound is now remove.
"The bypass bridge opened ahead of schedule. This is a great accomplishment and the result of countless efforts from our teams over the last two years. It took around one year to design the bridge and a little more than one to build it. Few structures of this size are built in Quebec in such short delays and we are extremely proud of this achievement," said Glen P. Carlin, General Manager of the JCCBI. "Furthermore, the reserved bus lane on the new bridge is a result of a close collaboration with the AMT," he added.
"This new reserved lane on the bridge is in addition to the two kilometres of reserved bus lane opened in the same corridor last October," added Nicolas Girard, CEO of the Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) "These two measures will greatly improve public transit on the A-10 corridor towards downtown Montreal and will allow commuters to get to their destination in less time and in a more efficient way. Moreover, the traffic lights that allowed buses to use the countraflow lane on Champlain Bridge during the evening rush hour since 1978 will no longer be required. This will improve not only traffic flow for buses, but for the entire corridor, which is excellent news for public transit users."
For more information about the new bridge, please consult our page dedicated to the project.
Champlain Bridge action plan: a record-breaking year under the bridge
This year again, more than 85% of interventions on Champlain Bridge took place under the structure without requiring any lane closures. These operations were carried out simultaneously on the beams, slabs, and piers and will ensure the bridge remains safe until it is replaced.
It is also worth noting that all of the bridge's edge beams are equipped with sensors that allow our inspection team to monitor the Champlain Bridge 24 hours a day. This measure is in addition to rigorous and regular inspections of the bridge's behaviour.
A risk scenarios study was also produced during the past year in order to draw a complete picture of the strategies in place (support beams and modular trusses) and those that are planned for the future. This document will serve as a guide for the JCCBI over the next few years.
Truck circulation on Champlain Bridge will also be slightly modified in the upcoming year. Trucks will be required to stay on the bridge's central lane during off-peak hours instead of the right lane, in order to not interfere with the reserved bus lane. This preventative measure will reduce the weight from truck loads on edge beams by 80%.
A detailed press release will be published ahead of time in order to inform users of the new procedure and to let them know when this new practice will begin. Moreover, signalisation on the bridge will be adjusted accordingly.
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You can consult and download the presentation given to members of the media here.
JCCBI wishes to thank all its partners for their collaboration over the year on these major worksites. The JCCBI also wishes to thank commuters for their patience and for their efforts in altering their itineraries in accordance with the works.
SOURCE: The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated
Jean-Vincent Lacroix , Director, Communications, The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (PJCCI), Office: 450 651-8771, ext. 232,Cell: 514 249-1940, [email protected]; Anne-Marie Braconnier, Advisor, Communications,The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (PJCCI), Office: 450 651-8771, ext. 465,Cell: 514 292-4493 [email protected]
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