JACQUES-CARTIER'S BRIDGE STAIRCASE

The beautiful Jacques Cartier Bridge which spans the Saint Lawrence River from downtown Montreal is approaching its hundredth anniversary.  Unlike most large and long (about 2 miles) urban bridges this one has high pedestrian and cyclists traffic.  The reason for this is that the bridge also services Isle Ste. Helene; this large island in the St. Lawrence is a mecca for residents and tourists alike because it includes huge parklands, a six flags amusement park, a casino, sports complexes and many other attractions from the 1967 Worlds Fair are still present.

With the Federal Bridge Corporation having a very successful history with Hot-Dip galvanizing on all its bridges it was an easy choice to use Hot-Dip for the replacement of the large main staircase at the Montreal end of the bridge.

What other solution could make sense for these stairs?  Challenges included highly corrosive de-icing salt used on the surrounding roadways, sidewalks and the stairs themselves.

What other solution could make sense for these stairs?  Challenges included highly corrosive de-icing salt used on the surrounding roadways, sidewalks and the stairs themselves.  Slippery snow and ice for many months each year required consideration for these steep and exposed steps.  High traffic and grit abrasives would make short work of most surface materials.

The grating material was decided upon to reduce both slipping and to reduce snow build up but painted steel would obviously fail immediately, the aluminum grating was more costly and would erode too quickly especially with salt and grit usage, stainless would work but was many times more costly and created problematic corrosion cells with surrounding support steel.

Once again the logical solution was low cost, long life and ruggedly durable Hot-Dip.  Factory controlled processes insured consistent quality, high capacity insured prompt delivery and the galvanic protection of zinc on steel insured that even with the eventual failure of the barrier protection at the highest wear points zinc would continue to protect the stairway for many more decades to come.  

With 100,000 pounds of galvanized steel this staircase will serve the needs of its users and owners with that unbeatable Hot-Dip value combination, nothing else compares.

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