Close X
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
ADVT 
National

Ottawa, Quebec announce $500 million reconstruction of La Fontaine Tunnel

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 03 Jun, 2019 10:19 PM

    The federal and Quebec governments have announced a $500-million reconstruction project for Canada's longest highway tunnel — the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine Tunnel linking Montreal to its southern suburbs.

    "We're bringing Montreal infrastructure into the 21st century," said federal Infrastructure Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, referring also to the new Samuel-de-Champlain Bridge expected to open at the end of the month.

    Champagne and Quebec's junior transport minister, Chantal Rouleau, announced the funding deal in Montreal on Monday. Work is expected to begin in 2020 and last until 2024.

    The investment in the 52-year-old tunnel — one of five links between Montreal and the south shore — will extend its life span by 40 years.

    No fewer than 47 million vehicles use the La Fontaine tunnel every year, Champagne said. "It's the longest highway tunnel in Canada," he said.

    Planned work includes pavement, lighting, vaults, walls, signage and a fire protection system, as well as repaving of the highway between Boucherville and Montreal and necessary infrastructure for public transportation on highways linking to the tunnel.

    Champagne wouldn't say how the funding would be divided between the governments, so as not to compromise the tendering process set to open soon.

    He said it was important to announce the project to allow for preparatory work.

    Rouleau said about 13 per cent of the vehicles that use the tunnel daily are heavy trucks.

    She said the massive re-construction will cause some obstacles, but the province is planning mitigation measures including parking spots to encourage public transit use and lanes for buses and car pooling.

    There's also a consideration of a river shuttle between Montreal and its southern suburbs.

    There will also be an emphasis on communication with residents impacted by the work, Rouleau said.

    "The work being announced today — everyone knew it had to be done," Rouleau said.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Two Teens Pulled From Burning Car In Surrey, B.C., One Remains In Hospital

    SURREY, B.C. — RCMP say a 15-year-old boy is in hospital with life-threatening injuries after crashing an SUV in Surrey, B.C.

    Two Teens Pulled From Burning Car In Surrey, B.C., One Remains In Hospital

    Made At Ashton: Anything Is Possible

    "The best part of my job is connecting with people, empowering and developing them, and making people laugh. I love how the competition for talent has been transforming the landscape for HR into becoming more employee-centered and focusing on the psychology of human potential. " 

    Made At Ashton: Anything Is Possible

    Coroners Service Launches Interactive Map Of Unidentified Human Remains

    Coroners Service Launches Interactive Map Of Unidentified Human Remains
    VICTORIA — The BC Coroners Service has launched an interactive map of unidentified human remains in an effort to generate new leads in the cases.

    Coroners Service Launches Interactive Map Of Unidentified Human Remains

    Feds Boost Funding For Refugee Health Care, But Study Says Barriers Remain

    Feds Boost Funding For Refugee Health Care, But Study Says Barriers Remain
    OTTAWA — Canada's health program for refugees and asylum seekers is getting a $283 million boost over the next two years.

    Feds Boost Funding For Refugee Health Care, But Study Says Barriers Remain

    14-Year-Old Athena Gervais' Drowning Death Linked To Sugary Alcoholic Drinks: Quebec Coroner

    MONTREAL — A Quebec coroner has found that alcohol played a role in the death of a 14-year-old girl who was found dead in a stream behind her school in Laval, Que., last year.

    14-Year-Old Athena Gervais' Drowning Death Linked To Sugary Alcoholic Drinks: Quebec Coroner

    Tories Seek Investigation Into Leak Of Trudeau-JWR Clash Over Top Court Choice

    Tories Seek Investigation Into Leak Of Trudeau-JWR Clash Over Top Court Choice
    Conservative justice critic Lisa Raitt has sent a letter to Marc Giroux arguing that the leak "strongly suggests" that "political actors" leaked information about an appointment to the country's highest court.

    Tories Seek Investigation Into Leak Of Trudeau-JWR Clash Over Top Court Choice