LONGUEUIL, QC, Dec. 20, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) would like to advise road users that following the installation of a support beam on Champlain Bridge, operations to open a third southbound lane were finalized last night.
Three southbound lanes will be opened for the evening rush hour. In this regard, please note that the width of the right and middle lanes will be reduced to 3 metres while the width of the left lane will be reduced to 3.3 metres.
For the next few months, trucks should remain in the left lane when driving near the support beam.
For safety reasons, this third southbound lane will not remain open to traffic all the time. It will be open weekdays for the evening rush hour and as needed when traffic is heavy.
Because southbound lanes are reduced in width, it is preferable that this lane remain closed when there is not a lot of traffic on the bridge, as is the case with the middle lane of the Jacques Cartier Bridge.
The configuration of the three northbound lanes will remain practically unchanged. These lanes will be open to traffic at all times.
Reserved bus lane
Because of the decrease in the width of these lanes, there will be no reserved bus lane during the morning rush hour.
Buses using the reserved lane upstream of the bridge on the A-10 will have to continue to merge into traffic on the Champlain Bridge. This situation will continue until the completion of the second phase of the operation when a modular truss will be placed under the beam and the support beam will be removed.
This decision was made in collaboration with public transit organizations and because this new configuration makes it impossible to ensure the safety of a reserved lane during the morning rush hour.
However, the reserved bus lane will remain in place during the evening rush hour.
Our organization wishes to thank all the road users for their great patience during this large-scale operation, and all our partners for their collaboration in these road repairs and the quick implementation of mitigation measures.
Finally, it is important that we thank each and every road worker and engineer who has taken part in this operation. Watch this video to see pictures of the support beam being installed.
SOURCE: The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated
Source and information:
Jean-Vincent Lacroix
Communications Director
The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI)
Office: 450 651-8771, ext. 232
Cell: 514 249-1940
[email protected]
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