Quebec to build new Mercier Bridge for Montreal city

The Canadian province of Quebec plans to build a US$219 million bridge across the St Lawrence River alongside the existing Mercier Bridge in the city of Montreal. Provincial government cabinet ministers Pierre Moreau and Geoff Kelley confirmed that a new bridge is forthcoming, but gave schedule for procurement or construction start, according to local media. However, Moreau said the work will begin probably before the new Champlain Bridge is finished at the start of 2019. Construction of the new Champlain B
May 12, 2017 Read time: 3 mins
The Canadian province of Quebec plans to build a US$219 million bridge across the St Lawrence River alongside the existing Mercier Bridge in the city of Montreal.


Provincial government cabinet ministers Pierre Moreau and Geoff Kelley confirmed that a new bridge is forthcoming, but gave schedule for procurement or construction start, according to local media. However, Moreau said the work will begin probably before the new Champlain Bridge is finished at the start of 2019.

Construction of the new Champlain Bridge began in June 2015, with opening scheduled for December 2018.

The aging Mercier bridge has suffered major repairs since 2013.

"The bridge is safe, but it will require until it's replacement $100 million of upkeep work. It's obvious we have to do something else than just upkeep the bridge," Moreau reportedly said.

The initial bridge, just under 1km long, was opened in 1934 and then twinned by construction of a second span adjacent in 1963. It crosses the St. Lawrence River and accompanying Seaway canals on the western side of the Island of Montreal to connect the Montreal borough of LaSalle with the Mohawk reserve of Kahnawake and the city suburb of Châteauguay on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River.

The bridge is named after former premier of Quebec province, Honoré Mercier. An estimated 30 million vehicles use the bridge annually.

Last month, the 2880 Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI), the federal Canadian agency that oversees several major road infrastructure assets in the city including the Mercier Bridge, said that tearing down the old steel truss cantilever Champlain Bridge could cost around US$300 million.

Also, until the nearby new Champlain Bridge is finished, it will cost US$93 million annually to maintain the old one, according to JCCBI. Dismantling of the structure that opened in 1962 will start in 2019 at the earliest and could take up to four years.

3260 World Highways reported in 2015 that the Canadian government had awarded the multi-billion-dollar contract for the Champlain Bridge to a consortium led by SNC-Lavalin under a 35-year public-private partnership. The consortium called Signature on the Saint-Lawrence Group includes Spanish firms 4761 Dragados Canada and 917 ACS Infrastructures and the US firm 2758 Flatiron Construction. Other members are MMM Group, T.Y. Lin International, International Bridge Technologies Canada and 981 Hochtief PPP Solutions.

Road Structures

Related Content

  • Montreal’s new Champlain Bridge is shaping up for Christmas
    September 10, 2018
    Montreal’s Champlain Bridges - one going up, one coming down, reports David Arminas The importance of the new Champlain Bridge to Montreal and Canada can’t be overstated, given the crumbling nature of the not-so-old original Champlain Bridge. The original steel truss affair across the St Lawrence River and the adjacent St Lawrence Seaway canal is “a lifeline for residents and businesses” in greater Montréal, according to the national Auditor General - the public sector spending watchdog. “It accommodates
    Read More
  • Champlain Bridge consortium files lawsuit
    October 25, 2021
    Signature on the Saint Lawrence claims the Canadian federal government passed a large part of additional costs onto SSL.
    Read More
  • Montreal’s Champlain Bridge opens but late and over-budget
    June 27, 2019
    Montreal’s US$3.5-billion, 3.4km-long Samuel de Champlain Bridge has opened after four years of construction and months of delays, according to Canadian media reports. Work is continuing on the cycle and pedestrian paths and eventually a light-rail train will run down the middle of the six lane bridge over the St. Lawrence River. The new structure has a life-span of 125 years and runs alongside its namesake Champlain Bridge, a steel truss cantilever that opened in 1962 which will be demolished. Accord
    Read More
  • SSL hits back over criticism of its work on the Champlain Bridge
    December 11, 2017
    The contactor building the replacement Champlain Bridge in Canada has hit back over of allegations of poor workmanship in the US$3.3 billion project. The new 3.4km cable-stayed Champlain Bridge over the St Lawrence River will have six lanes vehicle lanes and a separate cycle and pedestrian lane. Design life is 125 years and is being constructed under a public-private partnership and operating contract of 30 years after completion of construction. Work includes construction of a smaller bridge for Île des
    Read More

Highlighted Content