Macdonald-Cartier Bridge: structural rehabilitation

Find out about the rehabilitation project for the Macdonald-Cartier bridge.

Project overview

Project description

The general scope of work for the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge project is as follows:

• modify the existing structure to accommodate widened roadways and sidewalks to meet current Transportation Association of Canada code requirements
• replace the exterior railings and sidewalk with:
  • new railings
  • wider multi-use sidewalk for use by pedestrians and cyclists
  • roadway lighting
• install new traffic barriers and medians
• seismically retrofit the bridge to meet current standards
• repair piers, abutments, and substructure

Key milestones

• Fall 2011 we proceeded with a Request for proposal for an engineering design consultant for the rehabilitation project of the bridge:
• This process was conducted in a fair, open and transparent manner through the Government Electronic Tendering System
• January, 27, 2012, a $1.8-million engineering design contract for the structural rehabilitation of the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge was awarded to the joint venture firm MMM Group Limited/CIMA+ SENC of Ottawa, Ontario:
• The firm provided engineering design services as well as preparation of construction drawings and specifications
• December 2013: The construction drawings and specifications were completed
• January 2014: An Invitation to Tender (ITT) was posted on the Government Electronic Tendering System buyandsell.gc.ca
• February 21, 2014: We announced the awarding of a $32.1-million contract to Pomerleau Inc. of Montreal for the rehabilitation of the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge
• April 2014: Construction began and was mostly complete by Spring 2016
• Summer 2016: Project was closed and completed

Photo gallery

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Project background

The Macdonald-Cartier Bridge is a major urban transportation link between the cities of Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec. The bridge was built between 1964 and 1966. It spans the Ottawa River connecting King Edward Avenue in Ottawa to Highway 5 in Gatineau. This is the principal inter-provincial bridge in the National Capital Region (NCR) for commuters and commercial vehicles. It has an average annual daily traffic of 70,000 vehicles.

We are responsible for 17 engineering assets across the country, including the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge. We are carrying out a five-year major capital work plan to ensure they remain safe. As part of this plan, we are proceeding with the seismic retrofit of the bridge and the rehabilitation of deteriorated components.

Related links

• Bridges and crossings in the National Capital Region
• Lane reductions and closures on interprovincial bridges in the National Capital Region