Rehabilitation and Maintenance of the Jacques Cartier Bridge (2014–2023)

Issam Bekkali, Eng. Participated in and led the execution of multiple engineering mandates related to inspection, technical studies, and load-bearing capacity assessment of the Jacques Cartier Bridge.

These interventions also included the design of plans and specifications for various rehabilitation and strengthening works.

Structural inspection and assessment

  • Conducted inspections for targeted assessments of critical structural elements.
  • Assessment of the load-bearing capacity of structural components (2D and 3D analyses).
  • Diagnosis of structural issues (corrosion, fatigue, and failure modes).
  • Analytical modeling and validation of design assumptions.

Design of strengthening solutions and preparation of plans and specifications.

  • Design of strengthening solutions for steel elements (diagonals, chords, gusset plates, towers)
  • Production of over 1,500 engineering drawings for various construction contracts
  • Preparation of complete plans and specifications for major rehabilitation works
  • Integration of operational constraints and constructability requirements

Prioritization, sequencing, and risk management

  • Definition of intervention priorities at the bridge-wide level
  • Development of construction phasing strategies in constrained environments
  • Development of mitigation measures and monitoring plans
  • Contribution to multi-year budget planning

Temporary works and on-site support

  • Design and validation of temporary structures and access platforms
  • Analysis of construction loads (equipment, wind, and temporary conditions)
    Technical assistance during construction (responses to technical queries, design adjustments, validation of methods)
    Optimization of construction methods in collaboration with contractors
  • Technical assistance during construction (responses to technical queries, design adjustments, validation of methods)
  • Optimization of construction methods in collaboration with contractors

Contracts – Jacques Cartier Bridge

  • Contract 62635 – Section 7: Preliminary design studies, plans and specifications – replacement, strengthening, and painting (2019–2023)
  • Contract 62580 – Paving and deck/approach markings (2019–2020)
  • Contract 62632 – Inspections, load-bearing capacity studies, diagnostics, and master plan (2019–2022)
  • Contract 62560 – Section 7: Rehabilitation, strengthening, cleaning, and painting (2017–2023)
    • Contract 62601 – Splash zone (2017) – 12 drawings
    • Contracts 62654 / 62655 – Lot 1 (2019–2021) – 204 drawings
    • Contract 62603 – Lot 2 (2019–2021) – 205 drawings
    • Contract 62604 – Lot 3 (2021–2023) – 167 drawings
    • Contract 62605 – Lot 4 (2021–2023) – 87 drawings
  • Contract 61866 – Replacement of bearing assemblies, strengthening, and rehabilitation (2014–2018) – 1,028 drawings
    • Contract 62584 – Section 8 (2018) – 227 drawings
    • Contract 62583 – Sections 4 and 6 (2018) – 185 drawings
    • Contract 62534 – Section 8 (2017) – 184 drawings
    • Contract 62495 – Section 2 (2016) – 108 drawings
    • Contract 62446 – Sections 4, 6, and 8 (2016) – 324 drawings
    • Contract 62397 – Sections 2, 4, and 6 (2015)
  • Contract 62432 – Work assessment report and future directions (2016)