Bob Rae on Champlain Bridge

Bob Rae and the federal Liberal party harshly criticized the government for what they say is inaction on the Champlain Bridge issue.

Liberal leader Bob Rae said the Harper government has wasted five years dithering instead of working towards a solution.

The criticism comes on the heels of a report that details the costs and feasibility of replacing the Champlain Bridge. The report includes a plan and budget for replacing the existing bridge with a new one, or with a tunnel.

The Champlain Bridge is Canada’s busiest bridge. With 160,000 crossings a day it is an extremely important part of the Montreal economy. Over the past few years’ commuters have been worried by reports warning of the aging structures need for repair or replacement.

Rae was most vocal on how he believed the federal government could waste no more time debating. Quebec MP Denis Coderre agrees noting that even if the government were to decide to replace the span today, numerous environmental studies would delay its construction by years.

Many reports point out the futility of attempting to repair the bridge. Estimates of basic maintenance range from $18 to $25 million a year over the next decade. The cost of a new bridge would be $1.3 billion, a tunnel $1.9 billion.