Minister Lebel continues consultative process and discusses new bridge for the St. Lawrence with Montreal area mayors

OTTAWA, April 10, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, 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, met with mayors from the Montreal and Montérégie regions to discuss the new bridge for the St. Lawrence.

"Our government continues to consult regularly with key partners, such as elected officials from the Cities of Montreal, Brossard and Longueuil, as we move forward to build a new bridge for the St. Lawrence," said Minister Lebel. "Comprehensive and coordinated planning, coupled with extensive consultations with key partners are essential to the success of this important infrastructure project that will meet the needs of commuters, transit users and commerce."

The goal of the meeting was to review the progress of this significant project and discuss upcoming milestones.

The project is on track. The Harper government will continue to work with key partners, including representatives of the Government of Quebec and the Cities of Montreal, Brossard and Longueuil, on a new bridge for the St. Lawrence.

On October 5, 2011, Minister Lebel announced that the Government of Canada will proceed with a new crossing to replace the existing Champlain Bridge. This bridge is one of the busiest in Canada. With an estimated $20 billion in international trade crossing the Champlain Bridge annually, this corridor is a significant part of the regional economy and Canada's economy as a whole. The project also supports the objectives of Canada's gateway strategies.

"Our government remains focused on four priorities, as outlined by the Prime Minister, that Canadians care most about: their families, the safety of our streets and communities, their pride in being a citizen of this country, and of course, their personal financial security," concluded Minister Lebel.

More information on milestones for the new bridge for the St. Lawrence is included in the attached backgrounder.

For more information about the new bridge for the St. Lawrence, please visit www.tc.gc.ca/nbfsl.

BACKGROUNDER

Chronology

October 5, 2011: Announcement of the construction of a new bridge for the St. Lawrence in Montreal to replace the Champlain Bridge. It will be built in a public-private partnership and there will be tolls.

October 31, 2011: Consultations by Minister Lebel with economic and business leaders from the Montreal region.

November 14, 2011: Consultations by Minister Lebel with the mayors of Montreal, Longueuil and Brossard.

January 22, 2012: Launch of the federal environmental assessment.

April 23, 2012: Following a request for proposals, award of the contract for the environmental assessment (Dessau|Cima+ consortium).

July 12, 2012: Announcement of the replacement of three overpasses on Highway 15 and the construction of a temporary causeway linking île des Soeurs to Montreal.

July 31, 2012: Following a request for proposals, award of the contract to develop the business case for the project (consortium led by PricewaterhouseCoopers).

September 13, 2012: Inaugural meeting of the stakeholder advisory committee composed of the Quebec Ministry of Transportation, the Agence métropolitaine de transport and the cities of Montreal, Longueuil, and Brossard.

September 19, 2012: Following a request for proposals, award of a contract for the design and environmental studies of a temporary causeway to replace the île des Soeurs Bridge (Genivar).

November 16, 2012: Publishing of the first part of the environmental assessment report.

December 2-10, 2012: Public open houses on the results of the environmental assessment in Brossard, Verdun and île des Soeurs.

February 18, 2013: Consultations by Minister Lebel with engineering, business and design experts to discuss ways of ensuring the architectural quality of the new bridge for the St. Lawrence.

March 7, 2013: Ministers Lebel and Sylvain Gaudreault, Quebec Minister of Transport, meet to discuss the new bridge for the St. Lawrence.

April 2, 2013: Publishing of the second part of the environmental assessment report.

April 4, 2013: Request for proposals for laboratory services and geotechnical studies.

April 10, 2013: Consultations by Minister Lebel with Montreal region mayors to discuss the new bridge for the St. Lawrence.

April 14, 2013: Beginning of the second series of public open houses on the results of the environmental assessment in Brossard, île des Soeurs and Montreal's Le Sud-Ouest borough.

SOURCE: Government of Canada

Contacts:
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Ottawa
613-991-0700

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055

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