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The
Champlain Bridge Ice Control Structure
History
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Construction
(1964-1965)
The
risk of ice jams and flooding in the Montreal region grew after the Expo
67 islands were built because they reduced the width of the arms of the
St. Lawrence River.
To solve the problem, an ice bridge, the Champlain Bridge Ice Control
Structure, was built downstream of the Laprairie Basin. It was completed
in 1965.
The design was by Lalonde, Valois, Lamarre, Valois et Associs. Dufresne
Engineering Co. Ltd. was the contractor that carried out the construction
and made the prefabricated elements. The contract also included the
Nuns Island access ramp and access and exit ramps from and around the
bridge. Dufresne Engineering Co. Ltd. also did the fill work and built the
wharf for the workshops and garages on the shore at the southern tip of
the ice control structure.
Main
Reasons for Building the Ice Control Structure
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To
enable an ice cover to form early over the Laprairie Basin.
-
To
retain and store ice that forms continuously throughout the winter in
the open water of the Lachine Rapids and downstream of Lake St. Louis.
-
To
decrease the size of open water areas where new ice is produced.
-
To
control the spring ice breakup.
The
ice control structure is made up of 72 concrete piers and 2 abutments
resting on rock. The floating booms or stop logs, which were originally
used to hold back ice in the 88-foot (27-m) spans, could be moved up and
down in the heated grooves of the piers.
The three 175-foot (53-m) spans, located over the deepwater channel, were
equipped with booms that floated with the current. They were fastened to
the piers by a device and could be detached in the spring to allow an ice
evacuation channel to form.
The device used to control the floating booms or stop logs is no longer
functional, and use of these booms or stop logs to break up ice is no
longer necessary as ice breakers now carry out the work. However, the
presence of multiple piers enable an ice cover to form early over the
Laprairie Basin and protect the Champlain Bridge piers against damage that
could be caused by large pieces of ice during the spring ice breakup.
The FBCL is taking part in a feasibility study on the conversion of the
ice bridge for public transit use by an LRT (light rail transit system) or
buses.
From April to October, the ice bridge is used as a bicycle path and links
the existing bike paths on Nuns Island and the seaway dike. The path is
operated by the Société du parc des îles.
In the event of an emergency, the ice control structure is essential for
providing access to the dike for work on the seaway locks.
The ice control structure also provides the Corporations contractors
with access to Champlain Bridge to perform major work.
Management
Transfer (December 2, 1999)
Management
of the Champlain Bridge ice control structure, previously called the Jetée
McKay, was transferred from Transport Canada to the Jacques Cartier and
Champlain Bridges Incorporated under Order-in-Council P.C. 1999-2136,
dated December 2, 1999.
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