For the third week in a row major construction work took place on the Champlain Bridge. This time crews managed to remove the massive superbeam, acting as a splint on the bridge.
Work began at 9 p.m. Friday and was completed by 3 p.m. Sunday.
During the work, two lanes will be open heading toward Montreal, with only one lane for South Shore-bound traffic, although those lanes were narrower than normal.
Several access ramps were also closed.
The massive multi-tonne beam was installed in November 2013 after serious cracks were found in the bridge platform support structure.
Acting like a splint, the bridge and deck were secured to the superbeam to prevent further damage.
In the past few weeks crews have installed a support truss underneath the bridge.
The five massive steel pieces of the superbeam were removed from the bridge around 3 p.m., and transported away via barge.
Though the major work has completed for the weekend, some construction is still underway. Officials for the Champlain Bridge are asking drivers to avoid the area until 5 a.m. Monday.
Weekend work on the Champlain Bridge will continue for the next two weeks.
Wind prevented the job from being completed a few weekends ago.
The progress was all documented on Twitter:
Weekend work on Highways 13, 20
This weekend will also see work take place on Highway 13.
Both directions of the highway will be closed between Hickmore St. and Highway 40, from 8 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Monday so Transport Quebec can install lights in the Dorval Tunnel. There is also no access southbound between Highway 40 and the 5-20.
For the next two weekends, the Highway 20 west ramp toward the Mercier Bridge will also remain closed.
Finally, the 30th edition of the Tour de L’Ile will close many Montreal streets as cyclists take over the eastern downtown area, riding in any of six different races, including 25km, 50km and 130km races. See the map below.
