In the course of the 2001 and 2002 construction season, the 71-year-old deck of the Jacques Cartier Bridge was completely rehabilitated.

During this rehabilitation work, a new 2.7 kilometre bicycle path was incorporated into the prefabricated elements of the deck on the upstream western overhang of the bridge. On the eastern downstream side, a sidewalk of the same length was incorporated into the new elements of the deck.

Please note that the path and the sidewalk are closed to traffic during winter. However, we do intend for cyclists to use the path as long as possible. That is why the path will remain open as long as possible until the weather conditions begin to pose a safety hazard.

In 2011, for example, the path closed on December 27. By the same token, in the spring we open the path as soon as weather permits. In 2011, the path opened on March 29.

Why close the path in winter?

It is important to take several elements into consideration when thinking of keeping the bike path open year round on the Jacques Cartier Bridge, especially when they pertain to the safety of cyclists during winter:

• The weather conditions above the water vary greatly and are conducive to ice build-up, and this, much more frequently than in the city.
• The bridge’s concrete slabs freeze much more quickly than the cleared roadway, even more so since they are above the St. Lawrence River.
• The downslopes make sidewalks more dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians who can lose control more easily.
• The pavilion section holds higher risks of accumulating water and ice.
• Important quantities of salt would be needed in order to de-ice the bike path, which would cause an early degradation of the path, to say nothing of the adverse environmental impacts. The deck (for motorists) is covered with a moisture barrier and a layer of pavement, which protects it from the adverse effects of de-icer salts. The bike path has no such protection.

Therefore, the bike path represents high safety risks for cyclists in winter. The Jacques Cartier Bridge holds 2.7 km of bicycle lanes above the river with important declinations. If an accident were to happen, emergency services would have trouble getting there by ambulance. Also, in very cold temperatures, emergency services would have to act very quickly to prevent a victim from getting hypothermia. In certain sections of the bridge, the bike path resembles a cage.

Keep the bike path open for as long as possible

However, we do wish for cyclists to benefit from the bike path for as long as possible. This is the reason we keep the path open until the weather renders it unsafe. No opening or closing date is predetermined.

For example, in 2011, the bike path was closed on December 27. The same applies in spring when we open up the path as soon as more favourable weather conditions allow us to do so. In 2010, the path reopened on March 4^th and in 2011, on March 29^th. Therefore, the bike path was only closed for a period of approximately 2 at 3 months.

Expert Input

It is also important to note that we have asked the Sûreté du Québec to evaluate the situation and their representatives have reported that surveillance cameras frequently show the fall of snow from metallic structures on the bridge along the bike path in milder weather. Such snow falls could hit a cyclist in full acceleration and cause a very serious accident. Thus, the Sûreté du Québec recommends that we close the bike path in winter for safety reasons. It is our responsibility to listen to the input of experts to ensure the safety of all Jacques Cartier Bridge users.

Setting the facts straight

Due to the bridge’s location in an urban environment, set above city roads and streets, the accumulated snow cannot be plowed off the bridge. The same constraints apply above the seaway and river regarding environmental legislation, which prohibits the disposal of snow into a watercourse. Snow removal on the bike path would then have to be carried out at night using trucks and by closing a traffic lane, except at the level of the waterway and the bridge’s main bay where special equipment would be required due to the bridge’s trusses. Incidentally, the bike path would also have to be closed temporarily during snow removal operations.

In addition, during winter, this bridge that is set above the St. Lawrence River is prone to the ice build-up. The Jacques Cartier Bridge has five traffic lanes and the direction of the central lane is reversed during morning and evening rush hours. For safety reasons, this central lane is closed at night, but during winter, the Bridge Corporation must spread de-icing salts in order to remove black ice and to be able to reopen the traffic lane safely for the morning rush hour.

If the bike path is cleared of snow in winter, this same black ice will form. If the bike path is kept open 24/7 in winter, maintenance crews will have to monitor the build-up of black ice and proceed with the spread de-icing salts accordingly. The safety of cyclists depends on the maintenance crews’ response time in spreading de-icing salts and/or sand. The presence of cyclists hurtling down abrupt slopes and hitting black ice will inevitably result in accidents.

A few statistics

In 2007, the City of Montreal carried out a count on the bike path. On September 19, 2007, 1,646 cyclists were counted on the bike path (ambient temp. 22ºC); on October 8, 2007, 219 cyclists were counted (ambient temp. 8ºC). On December 3, 2007, with an ambient temperature of – 4ºC, 7 cyclists were counted on the path during the day.

The above statistics indicate that few cyclists use the bike path during the cold winter months, namely from December to March.  The Corporation estimates that the annual costs for snow removal and the spread of de-icing salts on the bike path and sidewalk are between $100,000 and $125,000 minimum.

Safe for all

We must ensure that the bike path is safe for cyclists of all levels, even if the majority of winter cyclists are very experienced. By opening the path year round, there is a greater risk that reckless and ill-equipped cyclists venture out and cause serious accidents.

We are accountable for the safety of all bridge users and we should not wait for a serious accident to occur to justify this decision. Safety is and must remain a priority.

In light of these facts and risks, and considering that the bike path closes very late and opens up very early in the season, it is important that we preserve the safety of users as our main priority, and avoid opening the path during these three months when real threats to safety exist.

For a constructive dialogue

We make it our mission to maintain a transparent and honest communication channel with Jacques Cartier Bridge users. Although our position does not please everyone, we remain open to hearing your comments, which we take into consideration, especially when they are based on facts and a real analysis of the situation.

If you wish to remain informed on this topic, please follow our blog via the newsletter, Twitter or through our RSS feed.

You can also subscribe to our mailing list which announces the annual opening and closing of the bike path by emailing velo@pjcci.ca.

Thank you.