T.Y. Lin International Selected for Demolition of Champlain Bridge in Montréal, Québec, Canada

T.Y. Lin International (TYLI), a globally recognized full-service infrastructure consulting firm, announces that TYLI was selected for the deconstruction of the original Champlain Bridge, which opened to traffic in 1962 in Montréal, Québec, Canada. The firm is a member of the New Horizon St-Laurent consortium, formed by Pomerleau Inc. and Delsan-A.I.M. Environmental Services Inc.

The original 3.4-kilometer-long Champlain Bridge comprises two principal structural systems - the 50 approach spans, which are made of prestressed concrete beams, and the seaway crossing spans, which require high clearance for ship passage and are made of steel trusses. The aging bridge has also undergone many retrofit and strengthening measures over the years, such as the addition of external longitudinal and transverse post-tensioning, cladding, and supplemental truss beams.

“The demolition of the original Champlain Bridge includes numerous logistical and technical complexities, which add to the challenge of deconstructing the bridge safely and within the project schedule,” said Marwan Nader, Ph.D., P.E., TYLI Senior Vice President and Technical Director of the firm’s Bridge Line of Business. “These include the deconstruction of the concrete spans on land, in an urban environment, and over live traffic. The demolition of the main span over the Saint Lawrence River must also be performed without impeding ship traffic in the navigational channel.”

The project demands strict adherence to environmental requirements to minimize the impact of the demolition on the public and the environment. Further project provisions consist of environmental protection measures, material reuse programs, research and development, and end-of-project shoreline development.

The original Champlain Bridge was decommissioned on June 28, 2019, following the opening of the new Samuel De Champlain Bridge. TYLI served as the Managing Partner and Lead Designer for the 3.4-kilometer-long signature bridge, including the approach spans and the cable-stayed portion that crosses the navigational channel of the Saint Lawrence River. The new bridge is the cornerstone of the Government of Canada’s New Champlain Bridge Corridor Project, one of the largest infrastructure projects in North America.