SNC-Lavalin awarded refurbishment contract for Princess Margaret Bridge

MONTREAL, Feb. 26, 2010 /CNW Telbec/ - SNC-Lavalin is pleased to announce that it has been awarded an engineering, procurement and construction contract by the New Brunswick Ministry of Transportation for the rehabilitation of the Princess Margaret Bridge in Fredericton. The work will be carried out by the Company's construction division, SNC-Lavalin Construction (Atlantic).

The 1,098-metre-long bridge was built in 1957. Due to its age and condition, its weight limits had to be reduced from 62,500 kg to 43,500 kg in November 2009. SNC-Lavalin Construction's mandate will include removal and replacement of the bridge deck and floor beams, replacement of the bridge guardrail, concrete removal, capping of the bridge piers and abutments, painting, and upgrading and refurbishment of the structural steel work.

"We are very happy with this new opportunity to work with the Government of New Brunwick, especially following the great success of the Brun-Way Trans-Canada Highway project," said Riadh Ben Aissa, Executive Vice-President, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. and President of SNC-Lavalin Construction. "This marks a new milestone in our strategy to increase our presence in the Province and offer our expertise in infrastructure construction to all New Brunswickers."

Work is set to begin immediately with an expected completion date of December 2011.

"With the exception of two, two-month periods of full closure in the summers of 2010 and 2011, the bridge must remain open to traffic during core weekday business hours with minimal inconvenience to the public," said Walid Asha, Vice-President, Construction and Development, SNC-Lavalin Construction. "We faced similar challenges on the Jacques Cartier Bridge refurbishment project in Montreal in 2001 and 2002, and we look forward to applying that same, award-winning expertise and experience in New Brunswick."

"Our government is delivering on its commitment to accelerate this project and get it completed," said the Honourable Denis Landry, Minister of Transportation. "This structure on Route 8 is heavily counted on to deliver people and goods through Central New Brunswick to many communities around the province. When completed, motorists will have a modernized, strengthened bridge with an extended lifecycle and weight limit reinstated to 62,500 kg."

SNC-Lavalin (TSX:SNC) is one of the leading engineering and construction groups in the world and a major player in the ownership of infrastructure, and in the provision of operations and maintenance services. SNC-Lavalin has offices across Canada and in over 35 other countries around the world, and is currently working in some 100 countries. www.snclavalin.com

For further information: Media: Leslie Quinton, Vice-President, Global Corporate Communications, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc., [phone], ext. 7354, [email protected]; Investors: Denis Jasmin, Vice-President, Investor Relations, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc., [phone], ext. 7553, [email protected]