Macdonald-Cartier Bridge: Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation and Seismic Upgrading

We were chosen to fulfill the seismic upgrading and rehabilitation contract for the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge in Ottawa, a feat we accomplished with amazing results. Spanning the Ottawa River, the bridge is a vital link between the City of Ottawa in Ontario and the City of Gatineau in Quebec. Every day, 70,000 vehicles cross it.

Specifically, the mandate included the following work:

• Demolishing the 800-m³ bridge deck by hand
• Demolishing 3,000 m³ of concrete
• Repairing and expanding the existing deck (including the installation of new parapets)
• Repairing the existing foundations (piers and abutments)
• Replacing the bridge bearings for the entire structure (piers, abutments and approach slabs)
• Finalizing the replacement of the lighting system
• Repaving the bridge
• Modifying the steel substructure
• Installing 2.7 km of steel guardrails
• Replacing the expansion joints

Despite non-stop traffic on the bridge, the project proceeded smoothly and efficiently.

Managing Heavy Traffic

We ensured that the project went smoothly — despite 70,000 vehicles crossing the bridge every day and keeping an alternating number of lanes open to traffic at all times.