The Ministère des transports et de la mobilité durable (MTMD) engaged CIMA+, in partnership with Stantec, to extend the life of the Papineau-Leblanc Bridge (Autoroute 19), a critical link between Montréal and Laval, Québec. The project’s primary objective was to ensure the long-term safety and structural integrity of the bridge by addressing severe deterioration of the internal stay cables, which posed a significant risk to continued operation.
CIMA+ played a key role in the project, contributing to engineering design, advanced structural analysis, construction planning and site supervision. The team leveraged cutting-edge solutions, including 3D modelling, real-time structural monitoring and a cable replacement method executed without the need for temporary supports in the Rivière des Prairies beneath the bridge. These efforts extended the bridge’s service life, improved its structural performance, and enhanced the resilience and safety of a vital transportation corridor.
Delivering complex structural upgrades while keeping a critical corridor fully operational
The team developed an innovative rehabilitation strategy focused on replacing the corroded stay cables and reinforcing key structural components that had weakened over time while maintaining traffic on most lanes. The approach involved precise sequencing of tensioning and detensioning, supported by detailed 3D modelling and real-time monitoring. The decision not to use supports avoided disturbing the hydrodynamic flows of the river and the potential formation of ice jams, which could have led to an increased risk of flooding and damage of homes located upstream.
The project succeeded in minimizing disruptions for the bridge’s approximately 56,000 daily commuters—including public transit users—and ensured uninterrupted access to the adjacent Île-de-la-Visitation Park. By eliminating the need for full closure or reconstruction, the team succeeded in reducing the economic, social and environmental impacts normally associated with structural work of this kind.
New, more robust cables and anchoring systems have greatly improved the bridge’s structural performance, enhanced user safety and extended its service life.