The history of the Jacques Cartier Bridge is a particularly interesting one. Evocative symbol of the City of Montreal, the bridge has spanned the St-Lawrence River for more than 75 years. Following are some key years in the history of this magnificent feat of engineering.

Dates and important milestones

• Need for a new bridge becomes evident (1874)
• Request for a new bridge (1921)
• Contest for the location of the bridge (August 14, 1922)
• Port of Montreal project (July 19, 1924)
• Location for bridge is chosen (January 27, 1925)
• Groundbreaking (May 26, 1925)
• Cornerstone put in place (August 9, 1926)
• Bridge opens to traffic (May 14, 1930)
• Official naming and inauguration (May 24,1930)
• Official name change (September 1, 1934)
• Opening of a fourth lane (June 1956)
• Opening of a fifth lane (June 1959)
• Installation of an automated toll system (September 8, 1959)
• Bronze bust and commemorative plaques are moved (May, 1962)
• Tolls abolished (June 1, 1962)
• 75^e Anniversary of the Jacques Cartier Bridge (2006)

For further information, we invite you to consult our Bridge history page on our website (www.jccbi.ca).