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Jacques Cartier Bridge
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The Jacques Cartier Bridge, iconic construction.

Canada is a large country with great natural wealth, its territory is full of lakes, forests, rivers, mountains and other wild environments. This can be seen even in the most modern cities, since even the famous metropolis of Montreal needs the Jacques Cartier Bridge to be able to cross the Saint Lawrence River.

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Montreal tourist attractions

Why is the bridge called Jacques Cartier?

The construction of the bridge over the Saint Lawrence River began in 1925, and it was inaugurated in 1930. The original name of this structure was Pont du Havre, but it was later renamed the Jacques Cartier Bridge.

 

Jacques Cartier is one of the most important characters in Canada, he was the first European explorer to reach the coasts of Montreal and interact with the native tribes in the area.

 

Similarly, Cartier drew the first known map of the Canadian coastline, and made way for the first settlements of Franco-British settlers, although none of these colonies was permanent until the 16th century.

 

Subsequently, many parks, monuments and buildings were named after this explorer. Regarding the decision to change the official name of the bridge, it was put to a vote, with Jacques Cartier being the most voted option among the city’s inhabitants.

Illumination of the Jacques Cartier Bridge

Why is the Jacques Cartier Bridge so extraordinary?

At first glance, the Jacques Cartier Bridge can look quite simple, and it is easy to notice its resemblance to other similar bridges, such as the Brooklyn Bridge or the San Francisco Bridge.


However, the Jacques Cartier has some peculiarities that make it unique. This is made mainly of steel, while the entire weight of the structure is supported by the sturdy concrete pillars that keep it standing.


In terms of size, the Jacques Cartier Bridge also stands out, measuring 104m high, 2765m long and 23m wide. Likewise, this is one of the busiest thoroughfares in Montreal, and it is estimated that more than a million vehicles pass through here each year.


In addition, the Jacques Cartier Bridge has gained a lot of international notoriety thanks to its LED lights, which were installed in 2017, as part of a modernization project. The lights, which vary in color and intensity, illuminate the route of this road passage, and can be seen from both ends of the shore of the Saint Lawrence River.


Today, the Jacques Cartier Bridge is not only an automobile connection point, it is also one of the most iconic buildings in Montreal, as well as a major tourist spot.

Get to know the Jacques Cartier Bridge

Are you visiting Montreal?

Knowing one of the most cosmopolitan, diverse and active cities in Canada is an experience that you should not miss. And if you are walking around Montreal, crossing the Jacques Cartier Bridge is one of the must-see activities.


This is open all year round, with very few exceptions. In fact, the Jacques Cartier only closes if it is undergoing maintenance, if it needs an emergency repair or if the weather turns too bad.


Taking this into consideration, you shouldn’t have any inconvenience while cruising above the Saint Lawrence River. In the same way, the Jacques Cartier Bridge is a public space, and it is not necessary to pay a toll to be able to circulate through it.

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