New bridge on Ile-Bizard finally opens with 4 lanes
After more than two years of construction and some traffic headaches, work on the new Jacques-Bizard bridge is finally finished and all four lanes are now open.
The City of Montreal announced Wednesday that the new bridge includes one more lane of traffic than the old bridge. It also includes two-way bike lanes and wider sidewalks for pedestrians, a complete overhaul of the sewage pipes, and electrical and cabling lines.
The new Jacques-Bizard Bridge bridge opened to traffic on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2024, and has four traffic lanes. (Scott Prouse/CTV News)
The new bridge, which is Île-Bizard's only link to the Island and Montreal, should be maintained for at least 100 years, according to the city. Now that it's open, the old bridge, built in 1966, is closed to vehicles and will be decommissioned in the coming years after it reaches the end of its lifecycle.
The construction project left many of the L'Île-Bizard–Sainte-Geneviève borough's 18,000 residents frustrated by congestion that transformed their commute from a few minutes to about an hour at one point. It led to at least one resident packing up and selling their home.
Traffic near the bridge in Ile-Bizard in September 2023. (CTV News)
"We are proud to welcome the opening of the new bridge, which puts an end to months of waiting and challenges for our residents," said borough mayor Doug Hurley in a news release.
"This modern infrastructure will make daily travel safer, revitalise local businesses and strengthen the strong links between L'Île-Bizard and Sainte-Geneviève. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the partners whose collaboration has made this vital and structuring project for our borough a reality."
Émilie Thuillier, the city's executive committee member responsible for infrastructure, buildings and asset maintenance, said the new structure uses "high-quality materials" built for Montreal winters and are resistant to de-icing salts and the freeze-thaw cycles.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Joly touts 'private' diplomacy as Mexico criticizes Canada's culture, trade
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is not escalating a war of words with Mexico, after the Mexican president criticized Canada's culture and its framing of border issues.
Singh won't support Conservative non-confidence motion that uses his own words
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he won't play Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's games by voting to bring down the government on an upcoming non-confidence motion.
Calgary man who drove U-Haul over wife sentenced to 15 years
A Calgary man who killed his wife in 2020 when he drove over her in a loaded U-Haul has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars.
Canada Post strike: Kids no longer need to mail their letters to Santa by the end of the week
Canada Post says it has removed the deadline for its Santa Claus letter program amid an ongoing national workers' strike that has halted mail delivery leading up to the holiday season.
South Korean president says he will lift martial law after lawmakers vote to reject his move
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said early Wednesday that he would soon lift the military rule he imposed overnight, after the parliament voted to reject his martial law declaration.
Another case of 'zombie deer' disease confirmed in B.C.'s Kootenays
Health officials have confirmed a fourth case of chronic wasting disease in B.C.’s Kootenay region, prompting calls for a swift cull to prevent further spread.
Man severely injured saving his wife from a polar bear attack in the Far North
A man was severely injured Tuesday morning when he leaped onto a polar bear to protect his wife from being mauled in the Far North community of Fort Severn.
Video shows 'completely unprovoked' stranger attack in Vancouver, police say
Police in Vancouver are searching for witnesses after a seemingly random and unprovoked assault was captured on video in the city's downtown core.
Family feels abandoned by Canada as woman struggles to flee civil war in Syria
It is the first time control of the city has shifted since 2016, when government forces, backed by Russia and Iran, defeated the rebels who controlled Aleppo's eastern districts.