Michael Ignatieff and the Liberal Party are promising to replace the crumbling Champlain Bridge within 10 years in the hopes it could help repair the party's withering fortunes on Montreal's south shore.
Ignatieff made the announcement as a rally Wednesday night in Brossard, the city where the Champlain Bridge arrives on the South Shore, and one where the Liberals are holding on to a seat by the skin of their teeth.
In 2008 Liberal MP Alexanda Mendes defeated former Bloc Quebecois MP Marcel Lussier by fewer than 70 votes.
Lussier is running for the Bloc once again looking to win the riding back, but Mendes's campaign received a big boost Wednesday night with a bold commitment from her boss.
"This government has patched the Pont Champlain enough," Ignatieff told supporters. "It's time for a new bridge. It's that simple."
The Champlain Bridge was built in 1962, and two separate reports commissioned by the federal bridge authority stated that parts of the structure are heading towards a collapse. Both reports recommended a new bridge be built as soon as possible.
The Conservatives have not committed to building a new bridge until more studies are done, something Ignatieff pounced on Wednesday, withy the Liberals committed to push the project through so it gets started as soon as possible.
Assuming, of course, the Liberals find themselves in government on May 2.
"The minute that we will be the next Liberal government we will start the studies and we will fast track it and make sure that we send a clear message that we will do it right now," said Liberal Mp Denis Coderre.
Liberals in tight race in Saint-Lambert
Ignatieff's Liberals currently hold 14 seats in Quebec and sit second in another 11.
One of those ridings where the Liberals are second is Saint-Lambert, one that has been won by the Bloc Québécois ever since its borders were reconfigured to include more of neighbouring Longueuil in 2003.
Lawyer Roxane Stanners is running for a second time in the riding after losing to the Bloc's Josée Beaudin in 2008 by just under 4,000 votes, which was an improvement from the Bloc's 10,000-vote win in 2006.
