Longueuil – August 19th, 2024 – The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) has determined that the proposed Project involving repairs to the Bonaventure Expressway, the Clément Bridge, and the approaches to Île des Sœurs (ABP0018) is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

This determination was based on a consideration of the following factors:

• Impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples
• Indigenous knowledge
• Community knowledge
• Comments received from the public
• Technically and economically feasible mitigation measures

Mitigation measures have been planned for each of the potential impacts on the environment. The main mitigation measures that were considered to make this determination are:

• Develop and implement an emergency measures plan to respond to accidental spills, as required
• Prohibit any water from the work site from being discharged into the river
• Prior to the work in the spring, check whether any cliff swallows or the nests of these species are within 200 metres of the work site
• Avoid carrying out activities on the deck between late February and late August, i.e., the nesting period of cliff swallows. If nests are found, maintain the 20-metre protection distance for works
• If work must be done during the nesting season, block off nesting sites found within the work areas before the nesting season begins
• Manage contaminated soils, manage wastewater, control nuisances, control hazardous and residual materials are included in JCCBI's standardized specifications
• Follow the conditions issued by Transport Canada as part of the application for approval under the Canada Navigable Waters Act (CNWA).

JCCBI has experience in carrying out similar work and is satisfied that this project is unlikely to cause adverse environmental impacts. Furthermore, a supervision firm has been retained to continuously monitor the work to ensure that the planned measures are being followed.

JCCBI will therefore go ahead and allow the project to proceed, either in whole or in part.