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<p>The deteriorating condition and associated high maintenance costs of the existing Champlain Bridge prompted the accelerated need for its replacement. Part of the largest infrastructure project currently underway in North America, the Samuel De Champlain Bridge is a viaduct with a signature cable-stayed bridge. This life-line structure was designed to ensure 125 years of service life. The design-build team employed innovative pre- casting, modular segments, and non-traditional erection techniques and sequencing to meet the fast-track project schedule.</p>

<p>The New Champlain Bridge is an iconic structure, being delivered on an extremely fast tracked schedule. Add to that numerous limitations on construction activities arising from the sensitive river environment, difficult climatic conditions, and concerns over existing regional infrastructure. Finally, throw in strict visual quality requirements to achieve a pre-published architectural concept. This paper discusses how the above conditions guided decision making and design concepts for the approach structures and specific design challenges encountered while meeting the expectations of the constructor, concessionaire and the Authority.</p>

<p>The New Champlain Bridge project corridor extends over a length of approximately 8.5 km.</p><p>The highway approaches of the bridge corridor include the reconstruction of two major interchanges in Montreal and the widening and reconstructing of both Highways 15 and 10 over 4.5-kilometers in highly urbanized neighbourhoods within Montreal and its suburbs. Highways are equipped with aesthetically pleasing retaining walls, EPS walls as well as noise barriers to satisfy the needs of the community. Furthermore, the construction of a new 470-metre bridge connecting Montreal Island to Ile des Sœurs (Nuns’ Island) represents one of the highlights of the highway approach corridor structures.</p><p>Both cyclists and pedestrians will be able to safely travel over the project corridor on a multiple- use path and stop at one of the many belvederes to gain an exceptional view of the city.</p><p>Durability is also a key design consideration, with a 125-year design life set as design criteria.</p>