Canadian transport and infrastructure minister Denis Lebel issued an update on the project to build a new bridge, including the replacement of three overpasses on Highway 15 and the construction of the temporary causeway between Nuns' Island and Montreal.
A request for proposals will be issued in the coming weeks for the planning, design and costing of the causeway, which will be built next to the existing Nuns' Island Bridge. This causeway will have three lanes in each direction and will be in place until the Nuns' Island Bridge is permanently replaced as part of the construction of the new St Lawrence bridge. The Nuns' Island Bridge is a key link between major highways in Montreal and the Champlain Bridge, which is an essential Canada-United States trade corridor. The objective is to open the temporary causeway by 2015.
"We will build a temporary causeway between Nuns' Island and Montreal to ensure the efficient movement of traffic and goods before and during the construction of the new bridge," said Minister Lebel. "After careful review of all options, I have determined that building a temporary causeway now is the fastest, safest, least disruptive and most cost-effective option."
The government of Canada has also reviewed proposals to retain consultants to develop the financial business case for the new bridge. The successful bidder will be announced in the next few weeks.
