Government of Canada Awards Design Contract for the Replacement of the Des Allumettes Bridge

Government of Canada/Public Works — February 21, 2012

PEMBROKE, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 21, 2012) - Today, Cheryl Gallant, Member of Parliament for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, announced the awarding of a $1,169,659.61 engineering design contract to Delcan Corporation, Ottawa, Ontario, for the replacement of the Des Allumettes Bridge, which connects Pembroke, Ontario, to Allumettes Island, Quebec.

"The Des Allumettes Bridge is an important component of Pembroke's infrastructure, as it provides a vital link between the communities and industries located on both sides of the Ottawa River," said Minister Ambrose. "Our Government is committed to ensuring that public infrastructure remains safe and reliable."

"As a local member of Parliament, I am delighted this project is moving forward. This contract is good news for residents of this region as the Des Allumettes Bridge links the communities and industries located on both sides of the Ottawa River," said MP Gallant.

The Des Allumettes Bridge is an essential piece of infrastructure for the regional economy. It provides a link between the communities and industries located on both sides of the Ottawa River and is used by approximately 7,000 vehicles every day. The surrounding communities rely on the bridge for access to employment, shopping, and services, as well as tourism and outdoor recreation activities.

This contract award follows recent Government of Canada announcements of new investments of approximately $250 million, over the next five years, in Public Works and Government Services Canada-owned infrastructure projects across the country, for a total of $320 million in funding for these assets, as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan. Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is responsible for 20 engineering assets across the country, including the Des Allumettes Bridge, and is carrying out a five-year work plan to ensure that they remain safe. As part of this plan, PWGSC is proceeding with the replacement of the bridge. The current bridge will remain open during the construction and will be dismantled after the new bridge opens.

The contract was awarded following a fair and open competitive process for the provision of engineering design services as well as the preparation of construction drawings and specifications for the replacement of the bridge. The design work is expected to be completed in winter 2013. PWGSC will then solicit competitive bids for the construction work, which is expected to begin in summer 2013 and be completed by 2016.

For further information on the recent announcement on public infrastructure investments, please see http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?mthd=tp&crtr.page=1&nid=651269&crtr.tp1D=1.

Ce texte est également disponible en français.

PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site at http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/medias-media/index-eng.html.

Contact Information

Michelle Bakos
Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose
819-997-5421

Media Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
819-956-2315