Samuel-De Champlain Bridge

Country Canada
City Montréal
Customer Government of Canada
Surface area 3,3 km
Year 2019
Certification Envision Platinum

The unique design of the new Champlain Bridge reflects both a sensitivity to the needs of the Greater Montréal region and a symbolic connection to the St. Lawrence River, the City of Montréal, and Canada as a whole.

Spanning three kilometres, the bridge’s architectural concept is defined by a harmonious and poetic aesthetic, while meeting rigorous technical standards to ensure a lifespan of 125 years. Its curved alignment, sculptural piers, slender main tower and harp-like cable system create an instantly recognizable and iconic silhouette. The concept also incorporates the flexibility needed to accommodate a central corridor for public transit, now occupied by the Réseau express métropolitain (REM).

Connectivity between the South Shore and Montréal is enhanced by a multifunctional path with scenic lookouts offering sweeping views of the city and the river. Provencher_Roy also supported Arup’s team in developing the design and planning criteria for the project’s urban and environmental integration. In collaboration with NIPPAYSAGE, this effort ensured the new bridge and its surroundings were cohesively and sustainably integrated into the urban fabric.

The mandate also included environmental characterization, assessment of the infrastructure’s impact on its surroundings, the development of mitigation measures and sustainable intervention strategies, and the formulation of design criteria for both the bridge and its highway approaches.

Samuel-De Champlain Bridge in construction

“The new Samuel-De Champlain Bridge sets a new standard of excellence in bridge design in Canada. Provencher_Roy is proud to have worked closely with the project’s lead designer, Poul Ove Jensen of Dissing+Weitling, to create a structure that is emblematic of the St. Lawrence River. Our team also contributed to the bridge’s integration into the surrounding environment and the design of its approaches, responding sensitively and thoughtfully to the needs of the region. It was a privilege to be part of this landmark project alongside an exceptional design team, under the leadership of Arup. We hope citizens will take pride in this new bridge, which is deeply inspired by the DNA of our metropolis.”

— Claude Provencher, architect and co-founder, Provencher_Roy