The Piles Bridge in Shawinigan, closed preventively for at least a year last week, is really in a deplorable state.
This was concluded by the last general inspection in July 2020. The photos taken by Transports Québec engineers show its deterioration. The report mentions cracks, delamination, spalling, punctures, wear, rust, erosion, disintegration and rotting, not to mention the deformation of the pavement in the center of the structure.
The engineers recommended that “major works” be carried out to remedy the problems.
Given the urgent need to act to strengthen the bridge before it can be reopened, the Ministère des Transports is considering awarding a contract by mutual agreement.
“The Minister is discussing with the Treasury Board, obviously to see if the contract can be awarded by mutual agreement and that we can go, rather than a call for tenders, more quickly to have concrete results more quickly. “Said Marie-Louise Tardif, CAQ MP for Saint-Maurice-Laviolette.
Two pylons will have to be erected on each side of the bridge to then deploy stay cables that will support the structure.
During this time, traffic on the bypass roads is unhindered. Motorists and truckers had to quickly change their routes.
“There are people we know who were passing through Highway 55. Now they are passing through here,” noted Yves Baril of Halte 359 in Saint-Narcisse, pointing to Route 359, one detours.
Truckers are aware that they will have to take their troubles patiently. “We do not have a choice. We have to deal with it,” sighed a sawdust carrier.
“I have a half-hour detour, approximately,” added the driver of a semi-trailer supplying McDonald’s restaurants.
Reference-www.journaldemontreal.com