Pierre Laporte Bridge

The Pierre Laporte Bridge (French: Pont Pierre-Laporte) is the longest main span suspension bridge in Canada.[2] It crosses the Saint Lawrence River approximately 200 metres (660 ft) west (upstream) of the Quebec Bridge between Quebec City and Lévis, Quebec. It is the longest non-tolled suspension bridge in the world.[1]

Pierre Laporte Bridge
Pierre Laporte Bridge (foreground).
Coordinates46°44′42″N 71°17′27″W
CarriesAutoroute 73
CrossesSt. Lawrence River
LocaleQuebec City and Lévis, Quebec
Official namePont Pierre-Laporte
Characteristics
DesignSuspension bridge
Total length1,041 m (3,415 ft)
Longest span667.5 m (2,190 ft)
No. of lanes6
History
DesignerDemers, Vaudry, Gronquist
Parsons Transportation Group
Construction cost$55 million CAD[1] (Approx. 420M$ in 2018)
Opened1970[1]
Statistics
Daily traffic122,000
TollFree

It was originally named the New Quebec Bridge and was supposed to be called Pont Frontenac (Frontenac Bridge) until it was renamed in honour of Quebec Vice-Premier Pierre Laporte, who was kidnapped and murdered during the October Crisis of 1970 as construction of the bridge was nearing completion. The bridge was constructed for the Province of Quebec, Department of Roads in a joint venture with the private firm of Parsons Transportation Group.

It carries Autoroute 73, north from Autoroute 20, the Trans-Canada Highway, to Quebec City and Autoroute 40, and northwards towards Saguenay.

  • Quebec and Pierre-Laporte Bridges in winter.
  • Pierre-Laporte Bridge (May 2015).
  • View from under the north side of the bridge.

Specifications
  • Constructed: 1966-1970
  • Main span: 667.5 metres (2,190 ft)
  • Side spans: 186.5 metres (612 ft) each
  • Total length: 1,041 metres (3,415 ft) between anchorages
  • Deck: Six-lane freeway bridge
  • Capacity: 90,000 vehicles per day

References
  1. "Pierre Laporte Bridge". Montreal Roads.
  2. Although Île d'Orléans Bridge is over 4 km in total length, its longest suspended span is 323 m and its total suspended length is 677 m, less than Pierre Laporte's 1,041 meters full length.

See also


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