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Ottawa to replace Champlain Bridge sooner than planned
‘It’s safe,’ Federal Transport Minister Denis Lebel says of span, though no new target date specified for replacement

By Andy Riga, GAZETTE TRANSPORTATION REPORTER
November 15, 2013 12:00 PM

MONTREAL – The federal minister responsible for the Champlain Bridge says the structure is safe but Ottawa will replace it sooner than originally expected.

Infrastructure Minister Denis Lebel was speaking to reporters on Friday morning in advance of a meeting about how to relieve traffic and transit difficulties caused by the sudden emergency month-long closure of a southbound lane on Tuesday.

“If there’s any danger we will close the bridge,” Lebel said. “When the bridge is open, that’s because it’s safe.”

He noted the federally-owned Champlain is the most closely monitored bridge in Canada thanks to inspections and sensors on the bridge.

Construction of the new bridge – to cost between $3 billion and $5 billion – will be accellerated, Lebel said.

Ottawa had previously said the new bridge would open in 2021. A new target date was not announced.

Marc Brazeau of Transport Canada said “an accellerated schedule for the project” will be ready within weeks and will be sent to the federal government. After it has been reviewed, it will be made public, Brazeau said.

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