Government of Canada/Public Works — February 5, 2013

Government of Canada Awards Construction Contracts to Ensure the Highest Standards of Safety for its Bridges in the NCR

GATINEAU, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Feb. 5, 2013) - Today, Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Orléans, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, announced the awarding of a $4.9-million contract to Construction Larivière Ltée of Gatineau for the deck replacement and steel repair work on the Chaudière Crossing's Hull Causeway. MP Galipeau also announced the awarding of a $3.3-million contract to Le Groupe P.F. Brisson Peinture Inc. of Gatineau for the application of a new coat of protective paint on the Alexandra Bridge.

"These projects are a testament to our Government's focus on creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity," said Minister Ambrose. "These bridges are important components of the National Capital Region's infrastructure as they provide vital economic links between Ottawa and Quebec."

In 2012, as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Harper Government announced new investments of approximately $250 million for a five-year program of work on Public Works and Government Services Canada-owned infrastructure projects across the country, bringing the total funding to $320 million for these assets.

"Our Government is committed to providing safe and reliable infrastructure for the thousands of Canadians served daily," said MP Galipeau. "Investments in Crown-owned infrastructure create and maintain jobs locally and ensure that Canadians can rely on safe and reliable infrastructure."

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is responsible for 20 engineering assets across the country, including the Chaudière Crossing and Alexandra Bridge, and is carrying out a five-year major capital work plan to ensure they remain safe. As part of this plan, PWGSC is proceeding with the deck replacement of the Hull Causeway section of the crossing, which will include the full replacement of the deck, sidewalk and barriers; seismic upgrades; and protective repainting of the existing structural steel elements. This work is expected to begin in the spring of 2013 and be completed in fall 2013. The work on the Alexandra Bridge, which consists of sectional recoating and steel repairs, is expected to begin this spring and be completed by the end of 2013.

For further information on the recent announcements on PWGSC-owned infrastructure investments, please consult the following link: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?mthd=tp&crtr.page=1&nid=651269&crtr.tp1D=1.

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PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site at http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/medias-media/index-eng.html.

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BACKGROUNDER

National Capital Region Bridges

Public Works and Government Services Canada is currently the custodian of three of the five bridges that connect Ottawa and Gatineau, namely the Chaudière Crossing, Alexandra Bridge and Macdonald-Cartier Bridge. As part of its ongoing commitment to ensuring that these bridges remain safe, the Government of Canada is investing in several rehabilitation projects in the National Capital Region.

Chaudière Crossing

The Chaudière Crossing was the first bridge connecting Ottawa and Gatineau over the Ottawa River. It consists of eight separate structures built at various times between 1827 and 1978. There are various types of structures connecting natural and man-made islands and causeways that are linked together by road. This designated truck crossing currently transports approximately 16.5 percent of daily traffic between the two cities, which amounts to an average of 28,000 vehicles per day.

The Hull Causeway Deck Replacement project will include the full replacement of the deck, sidewalk and barriers; seismic upgrades; and protective repainting of the existing structural steel elements. The construction work is expected to begin in the spring and be completed in the fall of 2013.

Alexandra Bridge

The Alexandra Bridge was built between 1898 and 1901. It was originally designed as a railway crossing, with a single railway track, two pedestrian paths, two streetcar tracks and two carriageways. In 1967, the structure was converted into its current configuration, with one northbound traffic lane on the east cantilever, one southbound traffic lane between trusses and one pedestrian/cyclist boardwalk on the west cantilever. The bridge currently carries approximately 13 percent of all traffic between Ottawa and Gatineau, which amounts to some 22,000 vehicles per day. It is also used by about 40 percent of all pedestrians and cyclists.

Over the next year, the North Hull Trestle of the structure will be given a new coat of protective paint, designed to prevent steel corrosion. Minor steel repairs may also be undertaken should deficiencies be detected during the coat preparation work. This work supplements the rehabilitation work done on the Alexandra Bridge in 2009 and 2010, which extended the service life of the bridge and included structural improvements to ensure its functionality, while preserving much of its original features and heritage character. The construction work is expected to be completed by the end of 2013.

Contact Information

Amber Irwin
Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose
819-997-5421

Media Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
819-956-2315

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