Editing Jacques Cartier Bridge

{{Short description|Bridge in Quebec}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox bridge
| bridge_name = Jacques Cartier Bridge
| native_name = Pont Jacques-Cartier
| native_name_lang = fr
| image = Jacques-Cartier bridge.JPG
| image_size = 
| alt = 
| caption = 
| official_name = 
| other_name = Montreal Harbour Bridge <small>(1930-1934)</small>
| carries = 5 lanes of {{jct|province=QC|R|134}}
| crosses = [[St. Lawrence River]]
| locale = [[Longueuil]] and [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada
| owner = The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Inc.
| maint = The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Inc.
| id = 
| website = {{URL|http://pontjacquescartierbridge.ca/en/ | pontjacquescartierbridge.ca}}
| architect = 
| designer = [[Philip Louis Pratley]]
| engineering = 
| winner = 
| design = [[Cantilever bridge]]
| material = [[Steel]]
| length = {{convert|2765|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br>{{convert|3425.6|m|ft|abbr=on}} <small>(including approaches)</small><ref name=JCCBI-Technical>{{cite web| title=Jacques Cartier Bridge: Technical Data| url=https://jacquescartierchamplain.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_Fiche_Pont_JC_EN_WEB_2020-08.pdf| website=The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated| access-date=30 October 2020| archive-date=21 September 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921115328/https://jacquescartierchamplain.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_Fiche_Pont_JC_EN_WEB_2020-08.pdf| url-status=dead}}</ref>
| width = {{convert|23.1|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=JCCBI-Technical />
| height = {{convert|104|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=JCCBI-Technical />
| mainspan = {{convert|334|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=JCCBI-Technical />
| spans = 40<ref name=JCCBI-Technical />
| lanes = 5
| pierswater = 
| load = 
| clearance = 
| below = {{convert|47.2|m|ft|abbr=on}} at mid-span<ref name=JCCBI-Technical />
| life = 
| builder = [[Dominion Bridge Company]]
| fabricator = 
| begin = May 26, 1925
| complete = 
| cost = [[Canadian Dollar|C$]]23 million
| open = {{Start date|1930|05|14}}
| inaugurated = May 24, 1930
| toll = 
| traffic = 83,500<ref name="federalbridge">{{cite web |url=https://jacquescartierchamplain.ca/community-heritage/structures-and-projects/jacques-cartier-bridge/?lang=en |title=Jacques-Cartier Bridge |access-date=2020-10-30 |website=The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated }}</ref>
| preceded = 
| followed = 
| heritage = 
| collapsed = 
| closed = 
| replaces = 
| coordinates = {{Coord|45|31|15|N|73|32|06|W|type:landmark_region:CA-QC|display=inline,title}}
| mapframe-zoom = 13
| mapframe-caption = {{Location map|Canada Montreal
 |border  = infobox
 |float   = center
 |lon_dir = W
 |lat_dir = N
 |lat_deg = 45
 |lat_min = 31
 |lat_sec = 15
 |lon_deg = 73
 |lon_min = 32
 |lon_sec = 06
 |width   = 250
 |caption = Location in Montreal
 }}
| references = 
}}

The '''Jacques Cartier Bridge''' ({{langx|fr|pont Jacques-Cartier}}) is a [[steel]] [[truss]] [[cantilever]] [[bridge]] crossing the [[Saint Lawrence River]] from [[Montreal Island]], [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], to the [[South Shore (Montreal)|south shore]] at [[Longueuil, Quebec]], Canada. The bridge crosses [[Saint Helen's Island]] in the centre of the river, where offramps allow access to the [[Parc Jean-Drapeau]] and [[Six Flags La Ronde|La Ronde]] amusement park.

Originally named the Montreal Harbour Bridge (''pont du Havre''), it was renamed in 1934<ref name="pjcci">{{cite web |url=https://jacquescartierchamplain.ca/community-heritage/structures-and-projects/jacques-cartier-bridge/?lang=en#historique |title=The Jacques Cartier Bridge |access-date=2020-10-30 |website=The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated }}</ref> to commemorate the 400th anniversary of [[Jacques Cartier]]'s first voyage up the St. Lawrence River.

The five-lane highway bridge is {{convert|3,425.6|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} in length, including the approach viaducts. There are approximately 35.8 million vehicle crossings annually,<ref name="federalbridge" />  making it the third busiest bridge in Canada, the first being [[Samuel-de-Champlain Bridge]], just a few kilometres (miles) upstream. The second busiest bridge in Canada overall is the [[Port Mann Bridge]] in [[Metro Vancouver]] (connecting [[Surrey, BC|Surrey]] to [[Coquitlam, BC|Coquitlam]]).

Together with the Champlain Bridge, it is administered by the Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI), a [[Crown corporations of Canada|Canadian Crown Corporation]] which reports to [[Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada]].

==History==
[[File:Feature. Contrast. River BAnQ P48S1P16495.jpg|thumb|left|Bridge in 1948]]

===Planning===
Discussions began as early as 1874<ref name="mtlroads">{{cite web |url=http://www.montrealroads.com/crossings/jacques-cartier/ |title=Jacques Cartier Bridge (QC 134) |access-date=7 October 2020 |website=Eastern Roads}}</ref> about the construction of a new bridge to alleviate the congestion on [[Victoria Bridge, Montreal|Victoria Bridge]], which was then a rail-only bridge, the wintertime ice bridge and the ferries used to connect the city to its south shore. The decision to build the bridge was made official in 1924.<ref name="mtlroads"/> The bridge was designed by engineer [[Philip Louis Pratley]].

===Construction===
[[File:PA-117723.jpg|thumbnail|The inauguration of the Bridge on May 24, 1930.]]
Construction was undertaken by the [[Dominion Bridge Company]] starting in 1925. On August 9, 1926, the cornerstone was laid, integrated into the pillar at the corner of [[Notre Dame Street]] and [[Saint Antoine Street]], opposite the [[Pied-du-Courant Prison]]. The cornerstone contains a capsule with 59 items reflecting the year in which construction began. The bridge was constructed of [[steel]] at a cost of [[Canadian Dollar|C$]]23 million, and the work lasted two and a half years.

The [[groundbreaking]] was held on May 26, 1925. Construction began immediately and the cornerstone was laid on August 9, 1926, on Pillar No. 26. The superstructure was built between September 1926 and September 1929. 33,267 tons of steel were needed for its construction.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://jacquescartierchamplain.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_Fiche_Pont_JC_EN_WEB_2020-08.pdf| title=Jacques Cartier Bridge| website=Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI)| access-date=2020-08-30| archive-date=2020-09-21| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921115328/https://jacquescartierchamplain.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_Fiche_Pont_JC_EN_WEB_2020-08.pdf| url-status=dead}}</ref> The work was completed about a year and a half ahead of schedule, without disrupting river traffic.

It opened to traffic on May 14, 1930, however the inauguration ceremony took place a few days later, on May 24. The bridge was inaugurated as the "Harbour Bridge" but was renamed "Jacques Cartier Bridge" in 1934, following a petition from citizens to honour the French-Breton explorer who described and mapped the St. Lawrence River valley in 1534.

===Modifications===
[[File:Pont Montreal 1930.jpg|thumbnail|The Bridge seen in 1930.]]
The bridge was originally designed as a [[Highway|road]], [[tram]]way, and pedestrian bridge. The original bridge had three lanes of road traffic and two sidewalks. Space in each direction was left free for the possible installation of two tramway lines. [[Tramway track]]s were installed but never used. A parallel empty space used to exist to the right of the roadway in each direction, through which the bridge's girders could be seen.

The roadway was expanded by an additional traffic lane on the east side in 1956 and the west side in 1959<ref name="mtlroads"/> to include the space allocated to the tramway tracks, adding an extra lane of traffic in each direction and bringing the total capacity of the bridge to five lanes. The two sidewalks were outside the bridge proper.

To accommodate large ships using the new [[St. Lawrence Seaway]], the span over the east channel of the river (the [[Truss bridge|Warren truss]]) was raised an additional {{convert|80|ft|m|1}} (to {{convert|120|ft|m|1|disp=or}}) in 1957 and 1958. Traffic flow over the bridge was uninterrupted by this construction, through the installation of two [[Bailey bridge]]s.<ref name="mtlroads"/>

Originally, the bridge was constructed with only one ramp to [[Saint Helen's Island]], located on the western side of the bridge. In 1961, a second ramp was built on the east side to prevent cars traveling toward Montreal from having to cross the path of those heading toward Longueuil in order to access St. Helen's Island, a major source of accidents.

During 2001 and 2002 the entire deck of the bridge was replaced.<ref name="mtlroads"/> The sidewalks were also widened to a width of {{convert|8|ft|m|2|adj=on}}, and the sidewalk on the western side of the bridge was made a bike path.

In 2004, the bridge authority installed a suicide prevention barrier. Until then the bridge saw an average of 10 suicides a year.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/156270/la-barriere-anti-suicide-a-prouve-son-utilite |title=La barrière anti-suicide a prouvé son utilité |access-date=7 October 2020 |newspaper=[[Le Devoir]] |first=Guillaume |last=Bourgault-Côté |date=10 September 2007 |language=fr |trans-title=The suicide barrier has proven its usefulness}}</ref>

There are four {{convert|3|m|ft|adj=on}}{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}} high [[finial]]s, at the four high-points of the bridge, as architectural ornaments.<ref name="mtlroads"/> Their shape resembles the [[Eiffel Tower]] without being a replica.<ref name="mtlroads"/>

[[File:Jacques-Cartier Canada.jpg|thumb|center|800px|The Jacques Cartier Bridge as seen from [[Parc Jean-Drapeau]].]]
[[File:Fullsize - IMG 2794 - 1 of 1.jpg|center|thumb|800x800px|View of the entirety of the Jacques Cartier Bridge from its southern end, looking Northwest towards [[Montreal]]. The section of the bridge spanning the [[St. Lawrence Seaway|St-Lawrence Seaway]], distinguishable by its [[Warren truss]] superstructure, is clearly visible on the left.]]

==Inspiration==
[[File:Pont JC Detail.jpg|thumbnail|upright|Detailing on the Jacques Cartier Bridge.]]
A bust of Jacques Cartier<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jacquescartierchamplain.ca/community-heritage/structures-and-projects/jacques-cartier-bridge/buste/?lang=en |title=Jacques Cartier Bridge: Bronze Bust |work=Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges  |location=Montreal, Canada |access-date=April 24, 2021 }}</ref> is located at the exit leading to Île Sainte-Hélène and was donated by France. The bridge follows the general design concept of the [[Quebec Bridge]]. It was, in turn, one of the design influences for the [[Story Bridge, Brisbane|Story Bridge]], in [[Brisbane]], [[Australia]], which was completed in 1940.<ref name=Brisbane>{{cite book |title=Brisbane Then and Now |last=Gregory |first=Helen |year=2007 |publisher=Salamander Books |location=Wingfield, South Australia |isbn=978-1-74173-011-1 |page=92}}</ref>
Its imposing steel structure of its main section most likely inspired the designers of [[J. C. Van Horne Bridge]] spanning the [[Restigouche River]] between [[Campbellton, New Brunswick|Campbellton]], [[New Brunswick]] and [[Pointe-à-la-Croix, Quebec|Pointe-à-la-Croix]], Quebec. This bridge was not built until 1958.{{Original research inline|date=December 2014}}

==Toll==
The structure was a toll bridge from its opening until 1962<ref name="mtlroads"/> and a toll plaza was located on the southern approach. The toll plaza area now houses the offices of the corporation that owns and operates the structure and the nearby [[Champlain Bridge, Montreal|Champlain Bridge]]. Tokens were issued for part of the period that tolls were collected. Toll booths were abolished in 1962.

'''The original toll rates were as follows:'''
* Pedestrian: 15¢ 
* Cyclist: 15¢ 
* Motorcyclist: 25¢ 
* Automobile (for the vehicle and its driver): 25¢ 
* Additional passenger: 15¢ 
* Bus: 80¢ to $1.00 (depending on class of bus) 
* Truck: 25¢ to $1.50 (depending on the class of the truck) 
* Oil tank: 60¢ 
* Animals: 3¢ to 15¢ per animal (depending on the species) 
* Wheelbarrow: 15¢ 
* Free for children under 5 years old.

== "The crooked bridge" ==
[[File:Quartier_Sainte-Marie.jpg|thumb|right|The Jacques Cartier Bridge visible from [[Ontario Street]]]]
From the beginning of its use, the Jacques Cartier Bridge was nicknamed "the crooked bridge" because of a curve at the entrance to Montreal. It was designed to avoid the land of soap factory-owner Hector Barsalou, who refused the amount the city offered him for his land.

Another curve in the middle of the bridge at the height of Île Sainte-Hélène is due to the positioning of the pillars. The pillars were built according to the direction of the stream of the river in a different axis of the streets to the North approach on the island of Montreal.

The existence of these curves has been a predominant factor in many accidents that have led to changes in signage on the bridge over the years.

== Traffic ==
The bridge has [http://jacquescartierchamplain.ca/community-heritage/structures-and-projects/jacques-cartier-bridge/?lang=en#circulation five traffic lanes], two of which are directional and one reversible for rush hour traffic and two sidewalks on each side for pedestrians and cyclists. It is also known for its famous Craig curve, a curve on the side of Montreal that once created many accidents because of its small radius and zero tilt. This deficiency was corrected in the early 2000s by raising the west side of the deck creating a slight tilt making it easier to take the curve.

The bridge is the continuation of Highway 134 and is connected to the multiplex formed by Highway 20 and the René-Lévesque Highway via an interchange. It continues on the South Shore in a short motorway section of Highway 134, which ends at an interchange with roads 112 and 116, before becoming boulevard Taschereau.

On the Island of Montreal, the bridge connects to De Lorimier Avenue East and Papineau Avenue West.

It is estimated that up to 115,000 vehicles use it per day, for an annual average of 34.7 million vehicles.

== Maintenance ==
Over the last twenty years, major [http://jacquescartierchamplain.ca/community-heritage/structures-and-projects/jacques-cartier-bridge/?lang=en#entretien ongoing renovation programs] have been completed, including painting and deck replacement to preserve the integrity of the structure and to ensure a safe passage for users. In 2016, a rebuilding cycle was completed for almost all pillars.

JCCBI, the structure's responsible manager, is carrying out a structural steel reinforcement program dating back to 1920, in order to extend the life span of the bridge. Specifically, some steel ribs and reinforcing plates have been replaced and reinforced.

== Disruptions ==
This bridge has been shut down several times due to several protesters who have individually climbed on the superstructure of the bridge or on a sign in the Longueuil side of the bridge. Two of them were from the [[Fathers For Justice|Fathers for Justice]] group, while a third claimed he was part of the group. Recently, a man wearing a Canadian flag climbed the structure of the bridge. Most of the protests led to massive traffic congestion during rush hour. Recently, the pedestrian paths were modified with the installation of round metal fences all around in both directions, to prevent climbing of the superstructure and discourage potential suicide jumpers, the two main problems associated with pedestrian traffic on the bridge.

==''Living Connections'' lighting ==
To mark both the [[150th anniversary of Canada]] and the 375th anniversary of Montreal, the bridge was refitted in 2017 with new decorative lights. The project, "Living Connections" was designed and installed over a period of 3 years by Montreal-based [[Moment Factory]] in collaboration with other local partners ([https://web.archive.org/web/20161106042038/https://realisations.net/en Réalisations Inc. Montreal], Ambiances Design Productions, ATOMIC3, Éclairage Public/ Ombrages, Lucion Média and UDO Design).<ref name="Everett-Green">{{cite news| url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/art-and-architecture/montreal-can-count-on-a-double-payout-sharing-a-birthday-with-canada/article33531540/| title=Montreal can count on a double payout, sharing a birthday with Canada| date=6 January 2017| newspaper=[[The Globe and Mail]]| location=[[Toronto]]| language=en-ca| last1=Everett-Green| first1=Robert| access-date=8 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Jacques Cartier Bridge Lighting| url=https://momentfactory.com/work/all/all/jacques-cartier-bridge-illumination| website=Monument Factory| access-date=7 October 2020| archive-date=8 August 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808073754/https://momentfactory.com/work/all/all/jacques-cartier-bridge-illumination| url-status=dead}}</ref> Project management was provided by JCCBI. The system, which allows for varying colors and animation, is scheduled to remain active until 2027. The interior lighting network changes with the passing of seasons, while the exterior lighting network uses big data, translated in real time to feed LED lighting networks on the outsides of the bridge superstructure, making the structure the first "connected" bridge in the world. [https://realisations.net/en Réalisations Inc. Montreal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914002650/https://realisations.net/en |date=2017-09-14 }} is responsible for the idea of using big data as a modulator of the bridge lighting program, as well as the design and production of the custom software and training of on-site operators to bring this concept to life.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://realisations.net/en/project/how-data-lights-jacques-cartier-bridge-en| title=How Réalisations Uses Big Data to Light the Jacques Cartier Bridge| date=2017-06-01| website=Réalisations| language=en-US| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051453/https://realisations.net/en/project/how-data-lights-jacques-cartier-bridge-en| archive-date=2017-12-22| url-status=dead| access-date=2017-06-07}}</ref>

Fifty-three types of data pertaining to Montreal, across eleven categories, are tracked to feed the bridge's lighting systems, included but not limited to; weather, traffic, noise and activity on social media. The bridge is then invaded by luminous movements in the colours of the most discussed topics of the day by the Montreal media: society (red), environment (green), technology (light blue), business (gray), sports (blue), institutions (pink), culture (purple). The systems track this data using physical capture systems such as sensors and cameras as well as through hashtags and keywords on online platforms. More information on how data is interpreted and expressed in light, and the systems used to do so, can be found on the [https://realisations.net/en/project/how-data-lights-jacques-cartier-bridge-en Réalisations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051453/https://realisations.net/en/project/how-data-lights-jacques-cartier-bridge-en |date=2017-12-22 }} website.

The bridge is part of the cycle of the seasons thanks to a [http://jacquescartierchamplain.ca/community-heritage/structures-and-projects/illumination-of-jacques-cartier-bridge/?lang=en chromatic calendar of 365 colours]. Day after day, it is transformed, progressively from the spring energizing green, to the radiant summer orange, to the voluptuous autumn red and the icy blue of winter. The bridge also gives the pulse of Montreal life in real time. The intensity, speed and density of light movements are fueled by the mention of Montreal on Twitter.

The first lighting up of the bridge occurred on May 17, 2017, the same day associated with the founding of [[Montreal]] in 1642 and officially kicking off the festivities for the 375th anniversary.<ref>{{cite news| title=Watch the Jacques Cartier Bridge light up for the first time| url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-jacques-cartier-bridge-375-live-2017-1.4119720| work=[[CBC News]]| date=18 May 2017| access-date=7 October 2020}}</ref>

=== Lighting of the Jacques Cartier Bridge in Numbers ===
* '''15,650 tonnes''': weight of bridge superstructure
* '''10,000 fastening systems''': to secure the luminaires on the steel supports fixed to the bridge
* '''10.4&nbsp;km''': cabling needed for bridge lighting for data transfer and power supply
* '''2,807 luminaires''': a combination of projectors and strips bathes the steel superstructure in colourful ambience light that changes in accordance to the effervescence of the metropolis.
* '''More than 200 participants''': from all professional backgrounds contributed to the project (creatives, engineers, designers, project managers, programmers, rope access technicians, electricians, steel erectors, traffic officers, etc.).

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Bridge. Harbour Bridge BAnQ P48S1P01153.jpg|Jacques-Cartier Bridge, 1937
File:Jacques-Cartier Bridge from the Concorde Bridge.jpg|Jacques-Cartier Bridge from the [[Pont de la Concorde (Montreal)|Concorde Bridge]]
Image:JacquesCartierBridge View.JPG|View from the bridge, before the suicide prevention barriers were installed
Image:Jacques Cartier bridge in Montreal.jpg|Driving on the Jacques-Cartier bridge
Image:Jacques Cartier Bridge in Montreal, Québec .jpg|Jacques Cartier Bridge at dusk
Image:Pontjacquescartierbridge.JPG|Signs inside the bridge
File:Jacques Cartier Bridge 2.JPG|Jacques Cartier Bridge
File:Jacques-Cartier Bridge, Montreal, car view.jpg|West side view of the Jaques Cartier Bridge
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[List of bridges in Canada]]
*[[Suicide bridge]]
*[[Story Bridge]]

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://jacquescartierchamplain.ca/?lang=en Official page]
* {{Structurae|id=20002534|title=Jacques Cartier Bridge}}
*[http://www.montrealroads.com/crossings/jacques-cartier/ Steve Anderson's MontrealRoads.com: Jacques Cartier Bridge (QC 134)]
*[https://realisations.net/en/project/how-data-lights-jacques-cartier-bridge-en Réalisations' website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051453/https://realisations.net/en/project/how-data-lights-jacques-cartier-bridge-en |date=2017-12-22 }}
*[http://jacquescartierchamplain.ca/traffic-works/live-traffic/pont-jacques-cartier/?lang=en Live Traffic – Jacques Cartier Bridge]

{{Crossings navbox
|structure        = Bridges/Tunnels
|place            = [[St. Lawrence River]]
|bridge           = Jacques Cartier Bridge
|bridge signs     = [[File:qc134.svg|25px]]
|upstream         = [[Line 4 Yellow (Montreal Metro)#List of crossings of the Saint Lawrence River|Montreal Metro Tunnel]]
|upstream signs   = 
|downstream       = [[Louis Hippolyte Lafontaine Bridge-Tunnel]]
|downstream signs = [[File:Quebec Autoroute 25.svg|25px]] [[File:TCH blank.svg|25px]]
}}

{{Streets in Montreal}}

{{Urban agglomeration of Longueuil}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cantilever bridges in Canada]]
[[Category:Bridges in Montreal|Cartier]]
[[Category:Bridges completed in 1930]]
[[Category:Transport in Longueuil]]
[[Category:Bridges over the Saint Lawrence River]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Longueuil]]
[[Category:Centre-Sud]]
[[Category:Road bridges in Quebec]]
[[Category:Roads with a reversible lane]]
[[Category:Former toll bridges in Canada]]