Sherbrooke, October 23, 2020 — EXP is pleased to announce that Groupement Origine Orléans, which includes EXP and Stantec, was selected by Transports Québec to conduct the definitive preliminary study for the new Île-d’Orléans cable-stayed bridge. In this new phase, the design of the new bridge linking Île d’Orléans to the north shore of the St. Lawrence River will be refined.
The Île-d’Orléans Bridge, built in 1935, does not meet current requirements. The new 2.1 km cable-stayed bridge will be built to the west of the current structure and include wider traffic lanes – one in each direction – shoulders and a multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists along both lanes. Preparatory work for the project will begin in 2022 and commissioning is slated for late 2027.
“With our partners, we have succeeded in designing a balanced, seamless and refined project showcasing the exceptional natural, cultural and historical landscape. This will be an extremely rewarding experience for all team members, because we are lucky enough to be working with some of the world’s leading experts in bridge design, as partners in the Groupement Origine Orléans, including Michel Virlogeux, renowned European engineer who designed the Millau Viaduct and several cable-stayed bridges, Thomas Lavigne, European architect who worked on several major bridges, as well as experts from Ramboll, known globally for designing major bridges,” said Sylvain Denis, director of the Quebec Bridges group at EXP.
The architectural design of the new bridge is reminiscent of the maritime history of Île d’Orléans and is intended to showcase the river and the natural landscape of the site. It is also designed to adapt the crossing experience to the user and promote active transportation between the two shores. In addition to offering new views of Île d’Orléans, Quebec City and the Montmorency Falls, the bridge will be illuminated at night to display the elegant cable-stayed structure. Furthermore, the design takes into account sustainability requirements, as well as the site’s geographical position and weather conditions.
In a public call for tenders, Groupement Origine Orléans earned a spot among the three consortia selected to develop a preliminary study. Based on that study, Transports Québec’s committee of experts responsible for analyzing the three submitted proposals selected the design developed by the group.
“It is a privilege for our teams to leverage our expertise to build this significant and iconic bridge for Quebec. This project marks a significant milestone in the development and reputation of our Transportation team,” said Vincent Latendresse, senior vice president, Transportation at EXP, and project manager for the design phase of the new bridge.
A video providing a glimpse into the future and at what the bridge will look like is available here.
For nearly a century, EXP has planned, designed, inspected, repaired, redesigned and built more than 1,000 bridges. The construction of the Île-d’Orléans Bridge is now part of a proud design legacy, allowing EXP to stand out on the North American bridges and transportation infrastructure market.
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Source:
Mireille Simard
EXP | Communications Coordinator
mireille.simard@exp.com 819-562-3871 X 26065