Close X
Saturday, November 23, 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

    Weather Network Forecasts Starkly Different Summer Conditions Across Canada

    Weather Network Forecasts Starkly Different Summer Conditions Across Canada
    The weather this summer could be starkly different across the country, according to the latest long range forecast from The Weather Network.    

    Weather Network Forecasts Starkly Different Summer Conditions Across Canada

    Could This 20-Year-Old Montreal Polyglot Be Canada's Most Multilingual Student?

    MONTREAL — Georges Awaad answers the phone with a polite "Hello," but he could just as easily answer in Arabic, French, Japanese, or any of the other 15 languages he speaks.

    Could This 20-Year-Old Montreal Polyglot Be Canada's Most Multilingual Student?

    Three More Confirmed Measles Cases Brings Total To Eight In New Brunswick

    SAINT JOHN, N.B. — Health officials in New Brunswick have three more confirmed cases of measles — bringing the total to eight cases in the Saint John area.    

    Three More Confirmed Measles Cases Brings Total To Eight In New Brunswick

    As They Turn 85, Dionne Sisters Caution About The Perils Of Childhood Celebrity

    Within hours of their improbable birth on May 28, 1934, the Dionne quintuplets were thrust into the spotlight as reporters staked outside their family's isolated farmhouse in northern Ontario to see if any of the premature infants would make it through their first few days.

    As They Turn 85, Dionne Sisters Caution About The Perils Of Childhood Celebrity

    B.C.'s Drug Plan To Save Millions With The Use Of Biosimilar Drugs: Adrian Dix

    British Columbia says it will save more than $96 million in its prescription drug program by expanding the use of so-called biosimilar drugs to treat diabetes, arthritis and Crohn’s disease.

    B.C.'s Drug Plan To Save Millions With The Use Of Biosimilar Drugs: Adrian Dix

    Man Charged With Gunning Down Abbotsford Police Officer Const. John Davidson Pleads Not Guilty

    Oscar Arfmann made the plea in a B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster, B.C., before a trial by judge alone.

    Man Charged With Gunning Down Abbotsford Police Officer Const. John Davidson Pleads Not Guilty