Government takes ownership of Québec Bridge from CN, plans to restore

Canadian National Railway (CN) has transferred ownership of the Québec Bridge, an historic infrastructure that spans across the Saint Lawrence River between Sainte-Foy and Levis, Que., back to the Government of Canada.

The Government of Canada announced in May that it had reached an agreement in principle with CN to transfer ownership of the Québec Bridge. The agreement was formalized by the signing of a deed of transfer between Canada and CN Nov. 12.

For over 100 years, the people of the region have relied on the Québec Bridge for their daily commutes, tourism and trade. The Government of Canada said it recognizes the importance of the bridge as a strategic freight corridor for regional, national and international markets, and as an important link in the Canadian supply chain.

The retrocession of the Québec Bridge will enable the Government of Canada to ensure the sustainability of this strategic infrastructure so that it can continue to benefit the economies of Canada and Quebec, as well as the entire population of the greater Québec City region.

Management of the Québec Bridge will be entrusted to the federal Crown corporation Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI), which will assume all responsibilities as owner of the infrastructure, and will be responsible for implementing the rehabilitation plan for the Québec Bridge. The Government of Canada said it is confident that the expertise and experience acquired by JCCBI over the years, notably in operating the Jacques Cartier and Honoré Mercier bridges in Montreal, will enable it to successfully carry out this rehabilitation plan.

JCCBI will work closely with the two other partners and users of the Québec Bridge – CN, which remains responsible for the rail corridor, and the Quebec government, which remains responsible for the road corridor and bicycle path. A collaboration agreement between these three partners will be drawn up to optimize coordination and ensure the completion of all activities on the Québec Bridge.

The Government of Canada will invest more than $40 million a year over a 25-year period in the rehabilitation program. This program will begin with inspections and various studies to make the right diagnoses, prepare a detailed rehabilitation plan and prioritize the work to be carried out. The work will include repair and reinforcement of the steel, piers and footings, as well as a painting program to protect the steel from corrosion and improve the overall appearance of the bridge structure.

To support JCCBI, the Government of Canada has also announced the creation of an advisory committee: the Groupe consultatif pour la sauvegarde du pont de Québec. In the coming weeks, JCCBI will be responsible for setting up this advisory group.

This committee, made up of business people, experts and other citizens interested in the future of the Québec Bridge, will serve as a platform for expressing opinions and formulating proposals to JCCBI.