Replacement of a critical bridge in the Hautes-Laurentides: geotechnical expertise serving the community
For the residents of this municipality in the Hautes-Laurentides, the bridge connecting the two banks is much more than just a piece of infrastructure. It supports daily travel, access to essential services, economic activities and the bonds that unite the community.
As the only link between the two banks within a 300-kilometre radius, this bridge plays a vital role in the life of the region. Replacing it will ensure a safe and sustainable connection for the people who live, work, or visit.
The replacement of this bridge is a major transportation infrastructure project for the region. To support the design of the future structure, Englobe’s teams conducted an extensive campaign of geotechnical and geoscientific investigations—both on land and in aquatic environments—aimed at gathering the data essential for making informed decisions. While often invisible to the general public, this work is a crucial step in guiding the decisions that will shape an infrastructure designed to serve the community for decades to come.
A vital transportation route for the community
Behind every piece of data collected lies a very concrete reality: enabling people to get to work, access stores and services, visit friends and family, and ensure the flow of goods throughout the region.
For the teams working on-site, this human dimension is what makes the project truly meaningful. The geotechnical investigations being conducted today will contribute to the renewal of a transportation infrastructure that supports thousands of daily trips and whose benefits will be felt by several generations.
Mohamed Boussetta, Geotechnical Engineer, is responsible for managing the technical aspects of the bridge reconstruction project in the Hautes-Laurentides
It makes my work much more concrete. I see the fruits of my efforts in a new structure whose immediate benefits will directly improve the daily lives of residents.
Mohamed Boussetta, Geotechnical Engineer and head of technical management and project planning.
This focus on people is also reflected in the way the project was carried out. In particular, the work was scheduled during reasonable hours to minimize the impact on residents. This simple yet meaningful approach reflects the importance placed on harmonious coexistence with the local community.
Geotechnical investigations on a barge. The complexity and diversity of alluvial soils, combined with the lack of historical data, posed a real challenge. Constant attention and the ability to adapt project planning and management were key factors to the project’s success.
Geotechnical investigations to aid in the design of the future bridge
To support the design of the future structure, the teams drilled 37 geotechnical boreholes on land and in aquatic environments at strategic locations determined with the designer. These investigations provide a better understanding of the characteristics of the soil, bedrock, and subsurface conditions that will influence the design of the bridge, its approach spans and related infrastructure.
The data collected helps us compare the various concepts under consideration and make the best possible decisions to ensure the long-term viability of this essential infrastructure. By bringing together expertise in geotechnical engineering, environmental science and pavement engineering, Englobe’s multidisciplinary team transforms field observations into practical insights that will guide the next steps of the project.
Stéphane Carrier, Geotechnical Technician at Englobe, analyzes and identifies rock cores extracted from the riverbed using the barge-mounted drill rig. The data collected and reported on an ongoing basis will guide the project team in selecting the future bridge’s design.
One of the most important aspects of the project was to pay constant attention to the data we were collecting as the work progressed. This allowed us to share it quickly, adapt our practices and constantly improve our approach.
Stéphane Carrier, Geotechnical Technician, Englobe.
This rapid flow of information illustrates a collaborative approach in which field expertise, technical analysis and decision-making evolve together to support the project’s success.
A closed-loop system that recovers, filters, and reuses the water used during drilling, while collecting the sediment generated by the work to prevent it from being discharged into the river.
Sustainable practices to protect the environment
Beyond technical considerations, the project also places special emphasis on protecting the natural environment. During the barge-mounted drilling operations, water and drilling fluids are recovered in a closed-loop system. The water is then filtered and reused, while the particles are collected and managed off-site in accordance with applicable environmental requirements. In addition, biodegradable oils are used for the equipment, and preventive measures are in place to reduce the risk of contamination.
These practices help minimize the environmental impact of investigations while ensuring the quality of the data collected. They demonstrate that large-scale geotechnical characterization work can be carried out while protecting local ecosystems and aquatic environments.
This approach reflects the importance placed on data quality, environmental protection and collaboration among the various areas of expertise involved. It also reflects Englobe’s commitment to generating positive and tangible benefits for the communities it supports.
Mohamed Boussetta and Stéphane Carrier analyze the data collected from the barge-mounted drilling operations and discuss the next steps in planning the bridge replacement project.
Building tomorrow’s infrastructure today
The data collected today in this Hautes-Laurentides municipality will contribute to much more than just the design of a bridge. It will help maintain a vital connection between people, support regional economic activity and build sustainable infrastructure for future generations.
By combining geotechnical expertise, environmental protection and data-driven decision-making, Englobe helps design safer, more resilient and more sustainable transportation infrastructure. Behind every well drilled, every observation and every piece of data analyzed lies a shared goal: to help communities build sustainable connections, both today and in the future.