Geotechnical challenges associated with the design and construction of the new Champlain Bridge in Montreal

ABSTRACT: In 2015, the Canadian government awarded a $4.3 Billion Design-Build contract to the Joint Venture (JV) team Signature on the Saint Lawrence (led by SNC-Lavalin) for the design and construction of one of the largest infrastructure projects in North America, the new Champlain Bridge in Montreal. The complexity of the project posed unique geotechnical challenges on many levels. Some of the challenges are discussed in this paper. The overall project involved the construction of many smaller bridges, retaining walls, construction of roadway embankment over an old landfill, widening of existing highways over an old 11x5 m collector with unknown structural conditions, and designing foundations in potentially liquefiable soils. This paper addresses the issues encountered and concerns raised during the geotechnical design and how these were addressed and resolved. Design and construction procedures, challenges and solutions are discussed in detail.