The Government of Canada Confirms Québec Bridge Acquisition

Quebec Bridge

Courtesy of Jiaqian AirplaneFan via Wikimedia Commons

QUEBEC CITY - The Government of Canada has acquired the Québec Bridge and will invest more than C$40 million a year over the course of a 25-year rehabilitation program.

According to the release from the Government of Canada, the necessary conditions for the repatriation of the Québec Bridge to the federal government have been met. As a result, the Government of Canada is the owner of the bridge. Earlier this year, in May, the Government of Canada announced that it reached an agreement with CN to transfer ownership. That agreement “was formalized by the signing of a deed of transfer between Canada and CN on November 12, 2024.”

With this transfer of the Québec Bridge, the federal government will “ensure the sustainability of this strategic infrastructure so that it can continue to benefit the economies of Canada and Quebec, as well as the entire population of the greater Quebec City region.” Management of the bridge falls under the federal Crown corporation Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI). JCCBI will work with other partners and users of the Québec Bridge, CN, which is responsible for the rail corridor, and the Quebec government, which is responsible for the road corridor and bicycle path. The Government of Canada states that a “collaboration agreement between these three partners will be drawn up to optimize coordination and ensure the completion of all activities on the Québec Bridge.”

Over the course of 25 years in a rehabilitation program, the Government of Canada will invest more than C$40 million a year. The program will “begin with inspections and various studies to make the right diagnoses, prepare a detailed rehabilitation plan and prioritize the work to be carried out.” This work includes repairing and reinforcing the steel, piers and footings, and a painting program that will protect the steel from corrosion.

In working with JCCBI, the Government of Canada states that it announced the creation of the advisory committee: the Groupe consultatif pour la sauvegarde du pont de Québec. JCCBI will set up this group within the coming weeks, and it will be made up of “business people, experts, and other citizens interested in the future of the Québec Bridge.”

The Honorable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities said, “One more step has been taken to protect and ensure the long-term viability of the Québec Bridge. I am very proud to announce today that the federal government has officially gained ownership of this architectural and heritage jewel in Quebec City. Over the next 25 years, our government is committed to investing more than $40 million annually to ensure the sustainability of this essential and historic infrastructure, for the greater benefit of Canada’s economy and Quebec’s.”

Sandra Martel, Chief Executive Officer for Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated said, “We are delighted with today’s announcement, and would like to thank the Government of Canada for its confidence in our organization. Our team is excited to begin this new mandate to maintain this iconic structure. At the same time, we know how important this structure is to the population of the greater Quebec City area and all of Quebec, and we are committed to restoring the beauty of this great structure while extending its lifespan.”