Quebec Bridge inspection to begin

CN has awarded a contract to Roche Ltd. Consulting Group of Quebec City to perform a comprehensive engineering inspection of the Quebec Bridge, which spans the St. Lawrence River between Quebec City and Levis.

The last comprehensive
inspection was performed by the independent engineering firm Modjeski and
Masters in 1994, prior to commencing the major rehabilitation works under the
Quebec Bridge Maintenance Program, from 1997 to 2005. There were subsequent
inspections of the superstructure by CN, as well as annual periodic CN
inspections of the railway portions. In 2006, an independent audit conducted by
Modjeski and Masters confirmed that the Quebec Bridge is in good structural
condition, and will remain a viable structure over the long term.

This inspection will
provide CN’s Engineering Department with a detailed assessment of the bridge
and its structural components. Inspectors will visually examine at arm’s
length, the entire bridge structure. This will require climbing of the bridge
using various techniques, scaffolding and elevating devices. Moreover, the
critical components of the bridge will receive additional scrutiny, including
ultrasonic inspection. 

Inspectors will begin their
work in early June and expect to finish in October. During that time, the
public will see the trained inspectors throughout the bridge structure. CN
expects the bridge roadways to remain open. However, short temporary closures
may be required, and will be coordinated with the MTQ, and the public will be
informed in advance.

CN has been maintaining the
historic Quebec Bridge since 1923, nearly 90 years. Today, CN is a minority
user, with only four freight trains per day crossing the bridge, compared to eight
VIA passenger trains and an average 35,000 motor vehicles daily.