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 and Lévis, Quebec
Design Suspension bridge
Total length 1,041 m (3,415 ft)
Longest span 667.5 m (2,190 ft)
Opened 1970
Daily traffic 122,000

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 metres (660 ft) west of the famous Quebec Bridge between historic Quebec City and Lévis, Quebec.

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.

It 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.

Specifications

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 length is 677 m, less than Pierre Laporte's 1,041 meters full length.

See also

External links