Minister Guilbault’s office confirms that federal and Quebec government engineers are working together to review the deck project and ensure that it is suitable for the capacity of the Quebec bridge.
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The Journal revealed Wednesday evening that the federal government has informed Quebec that the replacement deck envisaged by the Ministry of Transport is too heavy for the heritage structure. It weighs approximately 25 to 30% more than the current apron. Ottawa also emphasized that several “unknowns” remain regarding the bearing capacity of the bridge and therefore asked the MTQ to review its plans.
Find a solution
This is what the Ministry is currently working on, confirmed to Journal the office of the Minister of Transport, Geneviève Guilbault. “Obviously we will agree with our federal partner on the solution for the sustainability of the bridge and its use,” we indicate.
The minister’s office explains that the option of the heavier deck had been considered at the time when CN was the owner. The weight requirements have changed now that the federal government has acquired it, and it has a different renovation project, involving large-scale work over several years, including painting.
“Our engineers will work with those from the federal government to agree on a project that will respect everyone’s obligations to ensure the sustainability and use of the bridge in the long term.”
The mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand, for his part, is not worried about the safety of the structure. “It doesn’t worry me personally. I think the structural specialists will do the job.” The important thing for him remains the longevity of the bridge.
“I hope that between engineers and structural specialists, they will talk to each other and ensure that they have the best deck that allows the greatest durability of the bridge. I don’t see how the Quebec Ministry of Transport could install a deck that would weaken the Quebec Bridge.”
Third link
Third link or not, underlines the mayor, the first link must be well maintained.
The leader of the opposition at city hall, Claude Villeneuve, called on the government to “do its homework again.” He repeats that several mobility issues are left aside, in favor of a possible inter-river link, including the improvement of crossings and the development of dynamic lanes on the Pierre-Laporte bridge.
“The Quebec Bridge deserves to be maintained after years of neglect,” said Etienne Grandmont, solidarity manager for Transport and Sustainable Mobility. “The CAQ must take advantage of this to lower the deck and thus allow the future passage of public transport and trucks. It makes much more sense to invest in taking care of the infrastructure we already have, rather than building a third, useless link at $10 billion.”
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