Rehabilitation works to the concrete counterweights and steel elements required the verification of changes at the level of load and effort eccentricity to mechanical systems, brakes and lockings. Moreover, the specification shall include specific clauses in relation to sequences of works and particular safety measures to be integrated into the project.

Considering that the Turcotte Bridge constitutes a strategic link of first importance between both banks of the Richelieu River, maintaining and managing road and pedestrian traffic turned out to be an important aspect of all project phases. The challenge was even more important that, within the context of the 2002 works, one of the two trusses and the deck of the fixed span on the Sorel side had to be completely replaced, by reducing the impact on the traffic to a minimum. Despite the complexity of rehabilitation works, they have been conducted within delays, with a minimum of impacts on the bridge and waterway traffic.

In the same way, the bridge controls have been studied and inspected. In this case, however, it turned out wiser to replace the majority of existing controls by modern controls, less bulky and more efficient.
In December 2001, following a collision with a large size ship, the replacement of an important portion of one of the two fixed steel spans became necessary.

These works have been integrated to works planned for 2002. The collision occurred on December 21, 2001 and an emergency inspection was conducted starting December 24, 2001. A report allowing MTQ authorities to seize the scope of damages was submitted on December 27, 2001.
Considering the extent of works, we have first proceeded to the study of existing drawings and the historical review of interventions performed on this bridge since its construction in 1932.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The mandate awarded to Teknika HBA consisted of preparing drawings and specifications for the realization of bridge rehabilitation works on a three-year period. We have also acted as site supervisor for the three project phases.

In 2001, main works have consisted of the rehabilitation of concrete abutments and piles, located outside the river bed. These works mainly included the complete screening of these abutments (cost of works: $800 000). Since the concrete turned out to be a lot more friable than planned and the piles' columns had a lot less reinforcement than anticipated, it was decided to proceed to a more important screening, which allowed to sensibly reinforce structural elements.

During the 2002 phase of works, we have proceeded to the following tasks:

	Replacement of the fixed spans' outdoor sidewalks (concrete and steel structures).
	Replacement of the bridge's crash barriers and lamp posts.
	Reinforcement of the steel structure of the fixed span on the Tracy side.
	Replacement of several main structural elements of the fixed span on the Sorel side, the one affected by the collision with a ship (refer to particularities).

	Reconditioning and replacement of several mechanical and control elements of the lifting bridge.
	Reinforcement of the steel structure to allow the passage of legal loads (CL-625, that is a truck of approximately 60 tons), which is presently limited to 20-ton trucks.
	Rehabilitation of the bridge's central piles.