Reconstruction of the Baltimore bridge: several Quebec companies in the ranks

Even if it is still too early to confirm it, many Quebec companies could very well take part in the reconstruction work on the Francis Scott Key bridge from Baltimore to Maryland, the images of which collapsed yesterday morning went around the world. .

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Civil engineering companies like WSP and AtkinsRéalis, formerly SNC-Lavalin, all have teams that specialize in the design and construction of works of this scale.

AtkinsRéalis considered it premature yesterday to comment on the reconstruction, but its spokesperson Laurence Myre Leroux confirmed, more generally, its “great expertise” in the matter. Its participation in the construction work of the new Samuel-De Champlain bridge (3.4 km) constitutes a recent example.

WSP has also worked on several high-profile bridges, including the Tran Thi Ly Bridge in Vietnam, as well as the replacement structure for the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in the United States. The project, 12 km long and 12 lanes wide, spans the Potomac River, linking Virginia to Maryland, where the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed on Tuesday.

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The Beaucerons too

Located in Beauce, Pomerleau and the Canam Group, both involved in the controversial work of removing and constructing a new roof for the Montreal Olympic Stadium, could also participate in this type of project.

Through its spokesperson, Canam management did not wish to comment on its interest in the future reconstruction of this bridge, but its expertise in manufacturing steel structures could certainly be called upon.

Since 2020, Canam has become the owner of Eastern Bridge, in the state of New Hampshire, allowing it to participate in US government public contracts. And to do things well, this company specializes in the manufacture of steel structures for road and railway bridges.

Radio silence at the Port of Montreal

In the meantime, the Port of Montreal administration declined to comment when contacted by The newspaper to inquire about the immediate or future impact of the collapse of the Baltimore bridge on its port activities.

“Our thoughts are with all the families affected,” simply declared its spokesperson Renée Larouche. There was drama in the maritime family. And as a member of the maritime family, our thoughts are with the families. […] Before looking further, we will wait for the conclusions of the investigation.