Mercier gets a face lift

The Canadian government has confirmed the granting of a contract for replacing the bridge flooring (deck) of the Honoré-Mercier Bridge. The project’s initial phase, evaluated at $66 million, consists of reinforcing the steel structure and replacing the bridge’s deck on the ramp overpasses of the access lanes that cross over to the Kahnawake region in the south shore. The work should be completed by 2010.

The Canadian government will be investing $57 million while the Quebec government will contribute $9 million. Work for the first phase will begin soon, following the granting of a contract to the builder, Mohawk Bridge Consortium. This falls within the strategic supply plan for aboriginal companies, which was preceded by an agreement between the Minister of Transport and the Kahnawake Mohawk Council.

The Honoré-Mercier Bridge was built between the years 1932 and 1934 to facilitate transportation between Montreal and the south west region of Quebec. It links LaSalle Borough to the Kahnawake reserve. More than 28 million vehicles cross it every year and about 3,400 trucks use it daily. The bridge was named after Honoré-Mercier, the first Quebec minister who reigned towards the end of the 19th century. For over 20 years, the bridge had two lanes; in 1955 it was expanded by adding a lane on each side. This was carried out at the same time that the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority was being built.