LONGUEUIL, QC, Dec. 2, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - At a technical briefing this morning, The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) presented its report on major projects carried out in 2015. The ambitious program established at the start of the season was completed despite a highly challenging work environment. Again this year, JCCBI completed maintenance and repair work on its entire network to ensure user safety, Greater Montreal mobility, and infrastructure longevity.
Integrated management of Champlain Bridge
To maintain the safe passage of users until the opening of the new corridor, JCCBI implemented exceptional measures on the Champlain Bridge. Through the integrated management of data on bridge condition and behaviour, JCCBI identified priority projects and preventively managed the risks associated with this infrastructure at the end of its service life.
To date, 34 modular trusses have been installed on the Champlain Bridge and 43 will be added in 2016. Modular trusses are additional steel structures that support the full load of the girders. They are installed under the edge girders and rest on the bridge piers. These structural components fully compensate for current and future deterioration of the edge girders.
Work to replace expansion joints and repair piers was also carried out as part of the major maintenance program. In addition, a new traffic light system for truck traffic was commissioned in summer 2015 to optimize load distribution on the bridge. A full 90% of this year's work was carried out from the river to minimize traffic obstructions.
Thanks to these preventive measures on the Champlain Bridge, including work in response to the recommendations of the latest inspection report, JCCBI observed a significant improvement in overall bridge behaviour during the year.
Our major projects
Bonaventure Expressway
This year JCCBI finished replacing the deck of the raised lanes of the Bonaventure Expressway by completing the segment in the Avenue Pierre-Dupuy sector. The repair program was begun in 2008.
Honoré Mercier Bridge
As part of its program to replace the deck of the Honoré Mercier Bridge, JCCBI worked this year on the deck section above the seaway. Initially planned on an accelerated eight-week schedule, repair work was completed 15 days early. Replacement of the Honoré Mercier Bridge deck is the biggest project carried out by Aboriginal peoples in Canada.
Jacques Cartier Bridge
To breathe new life into the structure and extend its lifespan another 50 years, JCCBI continued its major maintenance program on the Jacques Cartier Bridge. This year the steel structure above the St. Lawrence Seaway was painted, and work was carried out on the steel structure and piers below the bridge.
Champlain Bridge Ice Control Structure
Major work to build a dedicated bike path and reinforce the deck on the Champlain Bridge Ice Control Structure will continue until spring 2016.
An active year
Thanks to planning and coordination with its mobility partners, JCCBI successfully limited the impact of its projects on users, despite more than 8,000 interventions on its network in 2015. The five major work blitzes at the Champlain Bridge exemplify collaboration and work optimization.
JCCBI is currently planning projects for 2016, which promises to be another very busy year. Work will include the Jacques Cartier Bridge lighting project, with the installation of lighting systems in summer-fall 2016. JCCBI is proud to leverage its expertise in leading this flagship project that is part of the festivities surrounding the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation and Montreal's 375th anniversary.
The 2015 project report is available now for consultation as well as a gallery showcasing our projects. Follow the activities of the Corporation (@PJCCI) and the ongoing projects on its structures (@pontJCBridge, @pontChampBridge, and @pontHMBridge) in real-time on Twitter.
About JCCBI
Established in 1978, The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated is a federal Crown corporation responsible for managing major infrastructure works, including the Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges, the Champlain Bridge Ice Control Structure, the federal sections of the Bonaventure Expressway and Honoré Mercier Bridge, as well as the Melocheville Tunnel. JCCBI manages, maintains, and repairs these important Greater Montreal structures to ensure the safe passage of thousands of users every day.
www.JCCBI.ca
SOURCE The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated
Julie Paquet, Director, Communications, Office: 450-651-8771, ext. 232 / Cell: 514-458-6925, [email protected]; Joëlle-Ann Blanchette, Advisor, Communications, Office: 450-651-8771, ext. 465 / Cell: 514-292-4493, [email protected]
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