T.L. Morrisey

Showing posts with label commuting across the bridge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label commuting across the bridge. Show all posts

Monday, February 6, 2012

The Champlain Bridge (1)



Construction of the Champlain Bridge, 1962



I travelled across the Champlain Bridge from 1976 to 2010; when I began crossing the bridge it was only fourteen years old; now, not all that many years later, I am told that the bridge has only another ten years left, with continued major repairs, until a new bridge is constructed.

I only recently appreciated the bridge's structure since all that we hear is how the bridge is unsafe. 

What I would like to do is to walk the length of the bridge, but this is unlikely...


Champlain Bridge

1958: Beginning of bridge construction.

1962: The Champlain Bridge is opened to the public.

1964: Access to Atwater and La VĂ©rendrye Blvd is opened.

1967: Bonaventure Expressway is opened.
2009: Due to age and wear to the bridge, major repairs are begun.
2011: In October, the Federal Government announces plans for the construction of a new bridge.

This is the most traveled bridge in Canada. It is a major route from Montreal to Eastern Canada and U.S. States bordering on Quebec.

Traffic on the bridge:

1963: 7,300 cars daily

1968: 33,400 vehicles daily

1989: 109,700 vehicles daily
2010: 156,000 vehicles daily

Personally, I have never doubted the safety of the Champlain Bridge...

A new bridge to replace the Champlain Bridge will cost $6 billion over a ten year period. The Champlain Bridge, constructed between 1958 – 1962, cost $35 million.