The Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec announced yesterday the next steps for the new bridge for the St. Lawrence project following the recent completion of the business case.

The business case confirmed that a public-private partnership is the most cost-effective method to deliver the project within an accelerated timeline.

The procurement process will begin with a request for qualifications in spring 2014. Construction for the new bridge for the St. Lawrence will start in 2015. This will allow the new bridge for the St. Lawrence to be in service by 2018.  The rest of the corridor project will be completed by 2020.

ARUP Canada Inc. was awarded the contract for engineering and coordination services on October 18, 2013. The company has accelerated the original timeline significantly, enabling the procurement process for the public-private partnership (PPP) to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the new bridge.

While the final design for the new bridge will only be determined once the procurement process is finished, it will meet high quality standards and have six lanes for traffic, a dedicated corridor for light rail, as well as a multi-use path.

This bridge is one of the busiest in Canada, with $20 billion worth of international trade crossing it every year.