Deck Reconstruction of Jacques Cartier Bridge Using Precast Prestressed High Performance Concrete Panels

Abstract

In 2001 and 2002, the Jacques Cartier Bridge in Montreal, one of Canada's busiest and historically important bridges underwent a total reconstruction of its 70-year-old deck. Involving more than 60,000 m 2 (645,800 sq ft) of deck to be replaced, this project represents the biggest bridge rehabilitation project ever undertaken in Canada under a single contract. Driven by the need to replace the existing deteriorated reinforced concrete deck by a new and highly durable deck without disrupting normal rush-hour traffic, a precast, prestressed, high performance concrete (HPC) deck replacement system was implemented requiring the installation of 1680 deck panels which were post-tensioned together in both longitudinal and transverse directions once placed on the bridge's existing steel support members. Design features, durability issues, fabrication and construction techniques, which included the erection and operation of a temporary precast plant built specifically for the project, are presented. The benefits of using an HPC precast deck replacement method to successfully restore this significant and historical urban bridge are also discussed.