Government of Canada launches a call for tenders for the new bridge for the St. Lawrence project

OTTAWA, June 4, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, today announced that the Government of Canada has launched a call for tenders for the construction of a temporary causeway-bridge between île des Sœurs and Montreal as part of the new bridge for the St. Lawrence project.

"Building a new bridge for the St. Lawrence continues to be a priority. The project is moving forward quickly, efficiently and responsibly," said Minister Lebel. "The temporary causeway-bridge between île des Sœurs and Montreal is an important milestone in building the new bridge for the St. Lawrence."

This causeway will have three lanes in each direction, a reserved lane for transit as well as a lane for pedestrians and cyclists. It will be in place until the île des Sœurs Bridge is permanently replaced as part of the construction of the new bridge for the St. Lawrence. The île des Sœurs Bridge is a key link between major highways in Montreal and the Champlain Bridge—an essential Canada-United States trade corridor. The objective is to open the temporary causeway-bridge by 2015.

"The temporary causeway-bridge between île des Sœurs and Montreal will ensure the efficient movement of traffic and goods before and during the construction of the new bridge for the St. Lawrence," said Minister Lebel.

Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated, the corporation responsible for managing, operating and maintaining federally-owned bridges in Montreal, is leading the temporary causeway-bridge project.

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) manages contractual processes for the temporary causeway-bridge between île des Sœurs and Montreal. PWGSC will ensure that the procurement process is carried out in a manner that enhances access, competition and fairness and results in best value for Canadians. In addition, PWGSC's integrity measures will be applied to ensure the Government of Canada does business with companies that respect the law. The invitation to tender for the construction of the temporary causeway-bridge is available free of charge on buyandsell.gc.ca, the new government electronic tendering service replacing MERX since June 1, 2013. The contract award should be announced in August 2013.

On October 5, 2011, Minister Lebel announced that the Government of Canada would be building new infrastructure to replace the Champlain Bridge. This bridge is one of the busiest in Canada, with $20 billion worth of international trade crossing it every year. The Champlain Bridge is a crucial corridor for the regional economy and for Canada as a whole. The project also meets the objectives of Canada's gateway strategies.

Canada's Economic Action Plan provides new opportunities for growth, job creation and long-term prosperity. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership and strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with over 900,000 net new jobs created since July 2009.

SOURCE: Government of Canada

For further information:

Marie-Josée Paquette
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities,
Minister of the Economic Development Agency
of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Ottawa
613-991-0700

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055

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