A vast construction site will again lead to the closure of several lanes at different times on Monday on the Quebec Bridge. Complete closures of the infrastructure could also occur, in the evening and at night, throughout the work.
The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility (MTMD) confirmed on Wednesday the nature of the obstacles that will be caused by this repair project, which should in theory last until September 2023. Several “structural elements” of the bridge must be repaired, including its road deck, several beams and its pedestrian sidewalk, in particular.
These works deemed “priority” will “occasionally lead to the closure of one lane out of three, during the day, outside of rush hours, and the closure of two lanes out of three, evening and night”, says the ministry in a press release. .
However, other work under the responsibility of Canadian National (CN), which has owned the Quebec bridge since the early 1990s, “will be added to those of the department and could occasionally require the complete closure of the bridge, evening and night , until November,” says the government.
If this eventuality were to occur, it would mean that only the Pierre-Laporte bridge would act as a direct automobile link between Lévis and Québec. That said, the department says it “will communicate this information at the appropriate time”, but recalls that at all times during the work, “the sidewalk will remain accessible to users”.
Result of an inspection
It should be recalled that the teams of the ministry had already carried out work “of the same nature in 2021 and in 2022”, after a general inspection which had been carried out in 2021. The government affirms in this sense that “the interventions planned for this year will come complete those deemed to be priorities following this inspection”.
All work and obstacles could however be modified in the event of unfavorable weather conditions or unforeseen operational constraints, finally underline the authorities, inviting users to consult Quebec 511 to better plan their trips.
Earlier, Wednesday, the solidarity critic in transport, Etienne Grandmont, for his part asked the MTMD to study the possibility of reducing the number of traffic lanes on the Quebec bridge, in order to insert a safe cycle path. “The CAQ is going to put hundreds of millions into repairing the deck of the Quebec Bridge, but is unable to add a compliant bike path. Welcome to the world of lasting stillness,” he said.
During the last election campaign, at the end of August, Québec solidaire had also proposed to establish a rapid service by bus (SRB) on the Quebec bridge, in order to counter the construction of the third link project to which the left-wing party opposes .
In total, the Quebec Bridge maintenance bill is estimated at approximately $800 million over the next 25 years. Essential for rail transport, the Quebec Bridge is also part of a transport chain between the Port of Quebec and the rest of the province.