New $126 million Gouin bridge project for Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu begins

Rendering of the new Gouin Bridge (source: Quebec Ministry of Transport)

Connecting Iberville to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, construction on the new Gouin bridge has begun, according to announcement released by the government of Canada, in conjunction with the province of Quebec and the city of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.

On hand for the announcement were Jean Rioux, Member of Parliament for Saint-Jean, Lucie Charlebois, Minister responsible for the Montérégie Region and Michel Fecteau, Mayor of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.

“This announcement kicks off a major construction project costing just over $126M. This is great news for the region’s residents, who will benefit from this important new infrastructure,” said Laurent Lessard, Minister responsible for the Centre-du-Québec Region in a release

The project involves building a new structure located slightly north of the existing Gouin bridge. The new structure will carry two lanes in each direction, shoulders, sidewalks and a two-way bike path.

The existing bridge will remain open to traffic until the new bridge has been built to accommodate the approximately 20,000 vehicles that use it daily. Then the old bridge will eventually be demolished.

“Upon completion of the work, the population of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and neighbouring areas will be able to use a modern, fully functional and sustainable structure for at least the next 75 years,” said Lucie Charlebois.

The new bridge will be composed of a fixed section spanning the Richelieu River and a draw-bridge section over the Chambly Canal, a federal waterway.

The total project cost is $126.3 million, the government of Quebec will provide $94.3 million, the Government of Canada will provide up to $18.6 million and the City of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu will also contribute $26 million for specific features on the new bridge and work on its road network.