Pierre Laporte Bridge

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Pierre Laporte Bridge
Pierre Laporte Bridge
Pierre Laporte Bridge, northbound.
Official name Pont Pierre-Laporte
Carries 6 lanes of Autoroute 73
Crosses St. Lawrence River
Locale Quebec City, Quebec and Levis, Quebec
Design Suspension bridge
Longest span 667.5 meters (2,190 feet)
Total length 1,041 meters (3,414 feet)
AADT 90,000
Opening date 1970
Coordinates 46°44′42″N 71°17′27″W / 46.745, -71.29083Coordinates: 46°44′42″N 71°17′27″W / 46.745, -71.29083

The Pierre Laporte Bridge (French: Pont Pierre-Laporte) is the longest main span suspension bridge in Canada.[1] It crosses the Saint Lawrence River approximately 200 m (650 ft) west of the famous Quebec Bridge between historic Quebec City and Levis, Quebec.

It was originally named the New Quebec Bridge and was supposed to be called Pont Frontenac until it was renamed in honour of Quebec Vice-Premier Pierre Laporte, who was kidnapped and murdered during the October Crisis of 1970.

It was constructed for the Province of Quebec, Department of Roads in a joint venture with the private firm of Parsons Transportation Group.

Quebec and Pierre-Laporte Bridges in winter.
Quebec and Pierre-Laporte Bridges in winter.

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

[edit] Specifications

  • Constructed: 1966-1970
  • Main span: 667.5 m (2,190 ft)
  • Side spans: 186.5 m (612 ft) each
  • Total length: 1041 m (3,414 ft) between anchorages
  • Deck: Six-lane highway bridge
  • Capacity: 90,000 vehicles per day

[edit] Notes

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

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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