A damaged steel beam on the Honoré-Mercier Bridge has reignited discussions about constructing a new connection between Montreal and the South Shore, prompting considerations on the expenses related to upkeeping existing infrastructure versus erecting a new bridge.
The Quebec Transport Ministry revealed late Tuesday that the left lane towards Montreal on the bridge would be shut down indefinitely due to the discovery of a crack during maintenance operations. Repair work on the beam is currently underway over the weekend. After enduring years of heavy traffic, averaging 76,000 vehicles daily, and corrosion from weather conditions, the question arises whether replacing the entire bridge is the most viable solution moving forward.
Lotfi Guizani, a structural engineering professor at École de technologie supérieure (ETS), emphasized the importance of evaluating the cost-effectiveness of maintaining the current infrastructure versus the financial implications of constructing a new bridge. Guizani mentioned that when maintenance costs escalate significantly, building a new bridge becomes a more favorable option.
He approximated that developing a new bridge could span at least seven years and incur billions of dollars in costs. Depending on the project’s scale and the impact of soaring construction expenses and inflation, the final price could surpass the $4.2 billion expense of the Champlain Bridge. Guizani proposed exploring alternative funding models, such as implementing tolls for motorists utilizing the new bridge, to aid in funding the construction project.
The Transport Ministry disclosed that $125 million has been allocated for bridge repairs since 2017. Overcoming financial hurdles could complicate the establishment of a new crossing, but local leaders argued that the province must start contemplating long-term solutions promptly instead of waiting for another significant disruption.
Châteauguay Mayor Éric Allard stressed the urgency for Quebec to seriously consider erecting a new bridge in light of the recent closure. Similarly, Mercier Mayor Lise Michaud highlighted the essential nature of the bridge for daily life in the South Shore and urged for improved transparency regarding infrastructure work and enhanced collaboration among public entities to tackle the region’s transportation challenges.
Grand Chief Cody Diabo from Kahnawà:ke emphasized the need for the provincial government to prioritize the bridge issue, citing the adverse impacts on the community when diversions redirect traffic onto local roads. He advocated for meaningful involvement in regional transportation and infrastructure planning to address the community’s safety and developmental concerns.
The Transport Ministry confirmed that the reconstruction of the current South Shore-bound structure is in its initial planning phases, with further assessments and surveys necessary to establish costs and timelines. Presently, efforts are concentrated on repairing the damaged beam to restore regular traffic flow on the bridge.