Mercier and Île-d’Orléans bridges at end of useful life

The Honoré-Mercier Bridge in Montreal and the Île-d’Orléans bridge near Quebec City have both reached the end of their useful life, but that does not mean either is unsafe, Radio-Canada reported Saturday.

The Quebec government defines useful life as the period during which an infrastructure should adequately serve its intended purpose. Experts told the broadcaster the term reflects the point at which repair costs and expected breakdowns make replacement the better option, not the point at which a structure is likely to fail.

James Alexandre Goulet, a civil engineering professor at Polytechnique Montréal, compared it to a car that needs costly repairs. He said neglected maintenance often leads to a large bill later.

Radio-Canada reported that the Honoré-Mercier, built in the 1930s, is being kept in service by maintenance work until a new bridge is built. The Transport Ministry has said it would impose measures, including a full closure, if users’ safety were compromised.

On the Île-d’Orléans bridge, former transport minister Benoit Charette said it remained safe and rejected a rumour that it would close on Dec. 31, 2027. Weight limits were imposed as a precaution to protect the structure until the new bridge opens.

Infrastructure is generally inspected every two to four years, with closer checks on older, more damaged or higher-risk structures, Radio-Canada reported. A structure’s lifespan is an estimate set at design and can change with construction quality, maintenance, climate and heavier loads.

The province estimated the maintenance deficit for public infrastructure in poor or very poor condition at $44.8 billion as of March 2026, and has set aside $121.2 billion to repair and rebuild end-of-life infrastructure. Many structures built in the 1960s and 1970s will reach the end of their lives within the next 25 to 75 years, the report said.

The Transport and Sustainable Mobility Ministry weighs maintenance costs against rebuilding costs, using tools such as weight limits, work to extend a structure’s life and replacement bridges.

For other Quebec infrastructure news, see our reports on weekend closures at the La Fontaine tunnel and on Highway 40, and on how Ottawa paused dam fish rules after a $2-billion Hydro-Québec warning.

If you find reporting like this useful, consider supporting Canada News Media, an independent Canadian newsroom with no corporate parent.

Source: Radio-Canada.