An important milestone for the new Champlain Bridge Corridor
MONTREAL, Nov. 9, 2018 /CNW/ - Efficient and sustainable transportation infrastructure is key to building more inclusive and liveable communities. These projects improve the quality of life of Canadians by reducing commute times and supporting good middle class jobs.
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, was joined today by Members of Parliament Marc Miller and David Lametti and local elected officials to inaugurate the new Île-des-Sœurs Bridge. The bridge is an important component of the new Champlain Bridge Corridor project, linking Île-des-Sœurs to the island of Montreal and connecting travellers along Highway 15 to the new Champlain Bridge.
The new Île-des-Sœurs Bridge will officially open to traffic in both directions on November 12, 2018 by 5:00 a.m. It features four traffic lanes in each direction and a multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists that will be open year-round. This enhanced crossing will ensure better traffic flow between the island of Montreal and Île-des-Sœurs while also encouraging increased use of active and public transportation options as one of the bridge's lanes will be reserved for buses.
Minister Champagne took the opportunity of the inauguration to thank everyone who contributed to the design and building of the bridge. He also recognized the patience of local residents, and particularly those living on Île-des-Sœurs, whose lives have been impacted as result of work on the entire new Champlain Bridge Corridor.
The Minister outlined measures that are already being taken by Signature on the St. Lawrence (SSL) including improved synchronization of traffic lights to keep traffic moving and enhanced signage which will come into effect when the bridge opens on November 12.
He also confirmed additional measures being implemented by SSL and Infrastructure Canada in collaboration with the City of Montreal and the Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated to further address congestion and ensure safety on local roads this winter. Together, these efforts will help reduce traffic difficulties in the area and improve the quality of life of residents and travelers.
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"The completion of the Île-des-Sœurs Bridge is an important milestone for the new Champlain Bridge corridor. I thank all the workers and project staff whose collaboration and hard work is ensuring that the redesign of Montreal's busiest crossing will meet the region's long-term transportation needs.
I also commend all the residents of Île-des-Sœurs for their patience and understanding over the last three years. We recognize the daily challenges you have faced living in the midst of one of the largest construction sites in North America. We are working closely with our partners and stakeholders to implement additional measures to improve mobility in your community as we look towards the finish line of this project."
The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"I thank the residents of Île-des-Sœurs for their resilience and collaboration as they have lived through the last three years of major construction in their community. Despite the challenges this has presented, you have remained optimistic and engaged. I assure you that the many benefits of the new Champlain Bridge corridor will become clear in the months to come. In the meantime, we are committed to working with our partners to find ways to improve your daily commute so you can spend more time with your loved ones and less time in traffic."
Marc Miller, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Member of Parliament for Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Sœurs
Quick facts
- When the new Île-des-Sœurs Bridge opens to traffic by 5:00 a.m. on November 12, four lanes will be available to traffic heading north, including one reserved for public transit. Southbound, three of the four lanes will be available as the fourth will be used for work on the new Champlain Bridge.
- On October 25, 2018, Signature on the St. Lawrence (SSL), the private consortium responsible for building and operating the new corridor, announced that despite the progress that has been made over the last few months, the new Champlain Bridge will not be ready to open to traffic this December. The main structure of the bridge will be complete by December 21st, 2018, and the bridge will be open to traffic no later than June 30, 2019.
- The completion date for the entire corridor is October 31, 2019. Construction of the Réseau Express Metropolitan (REM) on the bridge will commence only once the new Champlain Bridge Corridor is complete.
Backgrounder
New bridge to improve connection between Île-des-Sœurs and Montreal
Traffic mitigation measures for the new Champlain Bridge Corridor
On November 9, 2018, the Government of Canada inaugurated the new Île-des-Sœurs Bridge. The bridge is an important component of the new Champlain Bridge Corridor project, linking Île-des-Sœurs to the island of Montreal and connecting travellers along Highway 15 to the new Champlain Bridge.
During the event, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, recognized the patience of local residents, and particularly those living on Île-des-Sœurs, whose lives have been impacted as a result of work on the new Champlain Bridge Corridor.
Signature on the St. Lawrence (SSL), in collaboration with Infrastructure Canada and stakeholders, is closely watching the impacts on traffic and listening to residents in order to make adjustments as necessary to mitigate the impacts of detours and facilitate movement for Île-des-Sœurs residents.
During the event, the Minister outlined the measures that have been put in place by SSL as well as changes to traffic that will come into effect with the opening of the Île-des-Sœurs Bridge on November 12.
Measures already in place:
- Improved synchronization of the traffic lights on Gaétan-Laberge Boulevard
- Improved signage on Highway 15 North and Highway 10 East
- Opening of the access ramp to Highway 10 West from the Claude-Robutel roundabout
- Re-establishment of normal traffic flows on René-Lévesque Boulevard and Île-des-Sœurs Boulevard
Measures in effect after the opening of the bridge:
- Dedicated left turning lane to better access Highway 15 North from Gaétan-Laberge Boulevard
- Reopening of the Highway 15 North access to and from Atwater Avenue in early December
- Access for Société de transport de Montréal (STM) buses to the dedicated bus lane on Highway 10 East during rush hour
Minister Champagne also announced that a number of additional measures will be implemented in collaboration with SSL, the City of Montreal and JCCBI including:
- Increased police presence at key pressure points during rush hour to help direct traffic
- Additional tow trucks to ensure quick response to accidents or stalled vehicles
- Enhanced winter road maintenance services to reduce delays resulting from snow clearance activities
Together, these measures will help to ensure that local residents can move more efficiently through the most affected traffic areas.
Related links
News release: Update on the new Champlain Bridge Corridor, October 25, 2018
To learn more about the new Champlain Bridge Project: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/nbsl-npsl/index-eng.html and http://www.newchamplain.ca/.
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Website: Infrastructure Canada
SOURCE Infrastructure Canada
Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]
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