Laviolette Bridge

The Laviolette Bridge (French: pont Laviolette) is an arch bridge connecting the city of Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada to Bécancour on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River via Autoroute 55.

Overview
Laviolette Bridge is the only bridge that spans the Saint Lawrence River between Montreal and Quebec City; therefore, it provides an important connection between the North and South shores of the river.

The bridge, an impressive structure with elegant aesthetics, has become a major landmark of Trois-Rivières and the Mauricie region.

Approximately 40,000 vehicles cross the bridge each day.

The Laviolette Bridge is ranked as the 61st among the world’s longest arch bridges spans.

History
Popular demand for a bridge had existed since the late 19th century. The construction of Laviolette Bridge did not start until 1964. On September 8, 1965, an explosion led to the bursting of a caisson because of water pressure, causing the death of twelve workers.

The bridge was inaugurated on December 20, 1967 by Fernand Lafontaine, the ministre de la voirie (minister of highways) of the government of Daniel Johnson, Sr. It thus replaced the former ferry system in place. The name honours the founder of Trois-Rivières, the Sieur de Laviolette.

In 2005, the Ministry of Transport of Québec began a three-year major renovation project, which caused major traffic jams throughout the summer of 2005, when the middle of the bridge was repaired. In 2006, the northern end was redone, followed by the southern end in 2007.

Specifications

 * Construction: 1964–1967
 * Cost: $50 million (CAD)
 * Pillars: 34
 * Total length: 2,707 m
 * Main span: 335 m