Quebec suing SNC-Lavalin, Cima+ over Turcot design flaws

The Government of Quebec is takingSNC-Lavalin and CIMA + to court for design flaws on the new Turcot Interchange in a lawsuit that could reach several million dollars in damages, CBC's French-language partner, Radio-Canada, is reporting.

In 2009-2010, Quebec's Transport Ministry entrusted the two companies with drafting theplans and specifications for the preparatory work for the reconstruction of the Turcot.

Qubec also made the consortiumresponsible for supervisingthe work.

In 2014, the consortium discovered a problem in the design of certain support beams. The contractor was forced to suspend operations while the necessary corrective measures were taken.

In its lawsuit, Qubec argues that the consortium was responsible for reviewing the design of all support structures. The government says the consortium submitted plans and specifications that contained serious deficiencies, which affected other Turcot projects already under way.

The lawsuit claims the consortium did not respond to a number oflegal notices that it was sent.

Quebec is claiming damages of $1.35 million, but the government is also reservingthe right to sue the consortium formed by the two companies for an additional $8 million.