By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The city of Sherbrooke celebrated a milestone with the official opening of the new Grandes-Fourches Bridge Dec. 20.
Work began on the bridge in August, 2021 and was scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022, but the project was suspended in November of 2021 until funding could be secured for mandatory decontamination work, which significantly increased the cost as well as the timeline to complete the bridge.
New bridge
The Grandes-Fourches Bridge project, long awaited the community, required a total investment of $47.5 million, states a press release. This project was supported by a grant of $26 million from the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility. The financial breakdown of the project includes $10.3 million for road construction, $10.5 million for the bridge construction, $2.25 million for the demolition of the old bridge, $2 million for preparatory studies, $3.1 million for professional fees including architecture, engineering, and work supervision, $11.1 million for decontamination, and $8.25 million for acquisitions.
A significant aspect of the project involved the demolition of the Terrill Street and Grandes-Fourches North interchange, replaced by a modern roundabout. This change is expected to improve traffic flow and safety in the area.
“I’m proud to tell you that the inauguration of this bridge, of the Grandes Fourches axis, which we hope is the last stage to find a unifying element, is an accomplishment today that marks a new era for our downtown and our future,” Kibonge said.
