The accelerated timeline is due to the deteriorating condition of the existing bridge, which is 58 years old and has outlived its lifespan, according to Transport Quebec officials.
Quebec's Transport Ministry says the new bridge linking western Quebec to Montreal will be fully functional by the end of 2026. But residents of nearby suburbs will continue to be frustrated by closed lanes until then.
The Quebec government has secured a contract to replace the Ile-aux-Tourtes Bridge. The province made the announcement Monday afternoon, saying work on the $2.3-billion project will begin this summer.