Champlain Bridge safe to use until replacement ready, officials say

The Champlain Bridge will be safe to use until its replacement is ready in 2018, the federal bridge corporation says.

Officials gave a briefing Tuesdayto explain the nature of the work that was done over the last year, and what needs to be done in the coming year.

On the Champlain Bridge, the girders along the outside of the structure were the main items found to be in need of repair last year.

The corporation has so far installed 90 made-to-measure reinforcement trusses to support the girders.

Glen Carlin, the CEO of JacquesCartierandChamplainBridges Inc.,added that the bridge is being closely monitored.

"We have a full instrumentation of all the weakest portions of the bridge, so we know exactly how that bridge is performing on a daily basis, on an hourly basis," he said.

"If there is a problem, the instrumentation will flag it and we will be able to take appropriate measures."

The corporation says there is less roadwork planned for 2017, which should resultin fewer traffic disruptions next year.

Carlin says it's important to keep the current bridge maintained not only for commuters, butbecause of its economic impact. He says $20 billionworth of goods travel across the bridge every year.

And if there are problems with the Champlain Bridge, the traffic detourswill cause added stress on the region's other bridges.

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