The Confederation Bridge project was awarded the Gold Award for Leadership in Public-Private Partnerships at the 12th Annual National Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships Awards Dinner in Toronto on December 3, 2009.  Andrew Lin, Senior Vice President of Borealis Infrastructure and Michel Doiron, Regional Director General for Transport Canada accepted the award on behalf of the private and public sector partners.

The Gold Award is the most prestigious award granted by the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships. Each year, the Council celebrates successful public-private partnerships through its National Awards Program held concurrently with the annual conference. Awards are presented to public institutions/governments and their private sector partners for outstanding achievement in Canadian public-private partnerships.

Strait Crossing Development Inc. (SCDI) is the private partner in the Confederation Bridge Project and is owned by BPC Maritime Inc. (Borealis), VINCI Concessions Canada Inc. and Strait Crossing Inc. “The Confederation Bridge has been open for business for over 12 years now and not only is the bridge an engineering success, it has also proven to be the new operational and maintenance standard for infrastructure across Canada. We acknowledge and thank Transport Canada for their continuous support in all aspects of this undertaking” said Andrew Lin on behalf of SCDI.

Speaking on behalf of Transport Canada, Michel Doiron said “the team is to be commended for a job well done.” He added, “the positive and professional working relationship that has developed between our team, SCDI and the other project partners has contributed to the success of this project as recognized by this award. It represents an excellent example of a successful public-private partnership”.

The Confederation Bridge satisfies Canada’s constitutional obligation to provide a transportation link to Prince Edward Island. By way of agreements signed with the federal government in October 1993, SCDI designed, financed and built the Confederation Bridge and agreed to operate and maintain the facility for 35 years. After this period, the bridge will revert to the government to operate for the remainder of the 100-year design life.

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For further information contact: Michel Le Chasseur at (902) 437-7339

BORDEN-CARLETON -   As part of its continuous safety and security training programs, the Confederation Bridge will be conducting an emergency response exercise beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009.  The exercise is scheduled to last approximately two hours and while the bridge will remain open to all traffic during this training exercise period, travelers may expect minor delays with stop and go traffic to occur during this exercise. 

The exercise will simulate a two vehicle accident approximately 2 km from the New Brunswick side of the bridge.  Information will be posted on electronic sign boards and travelers can also stay informed by tuning to Bridge radio 93.9 FM.  This training exercise will involve all first responders in an emergency situation including Confederation Bridge personnel, 911 services, RCMP, Island EMS, local fire departments, Transport Canada and others.“Continuous training and simulation exercises are essential to proper emergency preparedness” stated Michel Le Chasseur, General Manager of Strait Crossing Bridge Limited. “We are very fortunate that real life situations are not a staple of our operating life at the Bridge and these exercises provide valuable feedback to all parties to ensure we are always ready to respond to the real situation,” said Mr. Le Chasseur. 

The Confederation Bridge would like to thank the traveling public for their understanding and patience during this exercise and reminds all motorists to drive with care going through the training area on Thursday, November 5, 2009.

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For additional information contact: Mr. Michel Le Chasseur, 902-437-7300   

 

CHARLOTTETOWN, October 15, 2009- Strait Crossing Bridge Limited, in partnership with the Terry Fox Foundation, is pleased to announce the return of the Terry Fox Run to the Confederation Bridge on September 19, 2010, in recognition of the 30th anniversary of the ‘Marathon of Hope’. Founded in 1981 by Canadian hotelier, Isadore Sharp, in honour of Terry’s fight against cancer, the Terry Fox Run has evolved into the largest fundraising event in support of cancer research in the world, with events held in 30 countries across 4 continents.

To date, close to $500 million has been raised in Terry’s name for cancer research. “Terry’s Marathon of Hope united Canada in an effort to find a cure for cancer. The 2010 Terry Fox Run on the Confederation Bridge will do the same.” says Onne de Boer, Provincial Director of the Terry Fox Foundation in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. He added “This exciting event will be in addition to the current Terry Fox Community Runs held in Atlantic Canada. It will provide supporters with a very unique opportunity to cross the span of this magnificent bridge on foot and fundraise for cancer research in Terry’s name. We are pleased to be part of the experience.”

2010 will mark the second time the Confederation Bridge has hosted the Terry Fox Run. The event was previously held in 2005 to commemorate the Run’s 25th anniversary, attracting 14,000 participants and raising $375,000 for cancer research. It was recognized as the largest single Terry Fox Run in the history of the event for both participation and funds raised. Organizers hope to surpass those numbers in 2010. “From the vantage point of Nova Scotians, the 2005 event was a booming success” says Barbara Fickes, Provincial Director of the Terry Fox Foundation in Nova Scotia. Ms Fickes added “It created a good deal of interest in The Foundation in general and helped to boost our fundraising to an all time high that year.” 

The funds raised in Terry’s name have already generated tangible results: research funded by The Terry Fox Foundation has generated new imaging technology that makes the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer far less invasive and traumatic for patients, mortality rates for both women and men for many cancers have dropped significantly, and several cancers are now considered ‘curable’, including childhood leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease and testicular cancer.“We invite everyone to join us on the Bridge on September 19th, 2010 to be a part of Terry’s legacy of courage and determination, to celebrate the progress made in cancer research, and to help ensure that strides in the fight against cancer continue,” stated Michel Le Chasseur, General Manager of the Confederation Bridge.

For more information on the 30th Anniversary Terry Fox Run at the Confederation Bridge, including an online registration form, visit www.terryfox.org. 

The Confederation Bridge, an integral part of the Trans Canada Highway network, spans 13-kilometres across the Northumberland Strait and is the longest bridge over ice-covered waters in the world. This historic landmark carries traffic between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island 24-hours a day, seven days a week.  

Media Inquiries: Laurel Lea, Coordinator, Marketing and Community Affairs, Strait Crossing Bridge Limited 902.367.3675, laurell@scbl.net

 

The Confederation Bridge is currently working on various projects designed to improve operational efficiencies, reduce energy consumption and improve safety of the travelling public.

First, license plate reading cameras have recently been installed at the abutment to the Bridge. Strait Crossing owns this system whose objective is to provide information on the effectiveness of the overall tourism effort. The system uses advanced optical character recognition to determine the origin of the vehicle license plate and replaces manual tallies conducted by Toll Collectors. “As 3 out of 7 toll lanes are automated, we needed to find a solution for overall traffic numbers” said Michel Le Chasseur, General Manager of Strait Crossing Bridge Limited. “Our investment in tourism related activities is material and we need to understand what works and what does not.” Strait Crossing shares travel information with the general public on a regular basis through the Tourism Advisory Council monthly publication. 

In addition, Strait Crossing has just completed the replacement of all traffic monitoring cameras for its traffic monitoring operations.  The new cameras and related software will achieve better visuals and camera motion speed. “This will greatly improve the effectiveness of bridge control who oversee the safety of the travelling public on a 24/7 basis” said Mr. Le Chasseur.

Also in December, Strait Crossing will begin testing various new lighting systems with a view of performing a full rehabilitation of bridge lights in 2009.  “We will start by installing an array of different lights that bring new and exciting technology to the bridge such as LED lighting, amongst others. The object is to evaluate their individual performance over the harsh winter conditions prior to making a final decision on full replacement.  Such advanced technology promises to reduce electrical consumption which is in keeping with our identity of providing the greener alternative in ground transportation to the mainland” said Mr. Le Chasseur.

Finally, Strait Crossing has completed its analysis of physical wind tests performed last Spring and confirms that there will be no changes to the wind policy already in place. “The objective was to see if physical testing would shed light on some way of relaxing our wind policy without compromising user safety. The tests results show that our policy, developed in laboratory testing, is appropriate and should not be altered. While this is disappointing to some, we must always remember why this policy exists in the first place which is to keep everyone safe” said Mr. Le Chasseur.

Strait Crossing Bridge Limited is responsible to operate and maintain the Confederation Bridge over a 35 year concession period ending in 2032.  For more information and to subscribe to e-mail travel advisories please visit confederationbridge.com.

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For additional information contact:  Mr. Michel Le Chasseur, 902-437-7300

CHARLOTTETOWN, December 11, 2008 – The independent engineer for the Confederation Bridge will be inducted into the Order of Canada tomorrow in an official ceremony with Governor General Michaëlle Jean.

Peter Buckland, founding partner of Buckland & Taylor Ltd., will be named a Member of the Order of Canada.  He will receive the honour for his contributions as a civil engineer who has advanced the field of bridge design in Canada. 

Buckland & Taylor carried out independent design and quality checking for the Confederation Bridge during its construction.  The firm continues to perform annual inspections to monitor the maintenance of the bridge.  Buckland’s North Vancouver-based engineering firm also designed the Alex Fraser Bridge in Vancouver, the longest cable stayed bridge in the world at the time of its construction, and carried out seismic upgrading for the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, among dozens of other international projects.

“I’m grateful that I’ve had such an interesting career working on some of the most exciting bridge projects in Canada,” Buckland says.  “The Confederation Bridge is an historic project that still fascinates people more than a decade after it was built.  I’m proud to be part of it.”

Michel Le Chasseur, the General Manager of the Confederation Bridge, says Buckland’s achievement will be added to the bridge’s long list of accomplishments and awards.  “We are fortunate to continue to work with him, and we share in his success,” says Le Chasseur.

Peter Buckland was educated at Cambridge University in England.  He worked for a steel fabricator after arriving in Canada in the early 1960s, and co-founded Buckland & Taylor Ltd. shortly after. 


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For additional information contact:  Mr. Michel Le Chasseur, (902) 437-7300

Transport Canada has approved the 2009 round trip toll rates for vehicles using the Confederation Bridge, effective January 1, 2009.

Motorcycle   $ 17.00
2 axle    $ 42.50
3 axle    $ 49.50
4 axle    $ 56.50
5 axle    $ 63.50
6 axle    $ 70.50
7 axle    $ 77.50
Truck with two trailers  $ 95.25
Pedestrian   $ 4.00
Cyclist         $ 8.00

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For additional information contact:  Mr. Michel Le Chasseur, 902-437-7300

CHARLOTTETOWN, November 6, 2008- Strait Crossing Bridge Limited (SCBL) was named Corporate Partner of the Year by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) at a gala awards ceremony held Tuesday night in Gatineau, Québec. Michel LeChasseur, General Manager of SCBL was on hand to accept the award from Stephen Foster, Senior Vice President of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc.

Since the opening of the Confederation Bridge in May of 1997, SCBL has committed itself to helping develop tourism on Prince Edward Island. Sharing the PEI Department of Tourism’s objective to extend the shoulder season and attract more visitors to the Island year-round, the company has been instrumental in helping to bring unique, award-winning events to the Island. In addition, SCBL also offers support to numerous community-based events and attractions to help ensure their continued success.

“Supporting tourism is a company wide effort,” said LeChasseur. “It is an honour to accept this award on behalf of the men and women of Strait Crossing Bridge Limited”.

The TIAC National Awards for Tourism Excellence, presented by The Globe and Mail, were developed by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada in 2003 to recognize outstanding Canadian companies and individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to Canadian tourism. The awards are presented annually at Canada’s Tourism Leadership Summit.

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For further information contact: Michel Le Chasseur at (902) 437-7339

CHARLOTTETOWN, June 20, 2008 – The Confederation Bridge plans to celebrate the 30th annual Terry Fox Run by inviting everyone to run and walk across the bridge in September 2010. This marks the second time the Confederation Bridge has celebrated the Terry Fox Run.

In 2005, approximately 14,000 people crossed the 13 kilometre-long bridge for the 25th anniversary of the run.  The historic event raised $375,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation. Organizers hope friends and families across Canada will make plans over the next two years to meet on Prince Edward Island and celebrate the run together.  The goal is to attract a record number of participants and raise funds for cancer research. The announcement was made as the original 1980 Ford Econoline van that accompanied Terry Fox on his Marathon of Hope departed Prince Edward Island after a week of fundraising events in the province.  With its whereabouts being unknown for the last 28 years, Darrell Fox, Terry's brother and National Director of The Terry Fox Foundation, followed up on a tip and acquired the van that was Terry's home on the road.

Ford of Canada conducted a full restoration on the interior, exterior and powertrain of the vehicle, with the goal of returning the van to its original 1980 state.  Work began this April and took more than 1000 labour hours to complete.The van is now being driven by Fox family members across the country in a nationwide marathon drive called the Tour of Hope, organized with the support of employees of Scotia McLeod. 

The van will arrive in Victoria, BC to coincide with the start of this year’s annual Terry Fox Run on September 14.The first Terry Fox Run in 1981 attracted 300,000 participants across Canada and raised $3.5 million. To date, more than $400 million has been raised for worldwide for cancer research in Terry's name.

The Run is a non-competitive event where people get together as individuals, families and groups to raise money in Terry’s name. It is a day of celebrating Terry’s legacy and helping to keep his dream of a cure for cancer alive. Registration for the Confederation Bridge component of the 2010 Terry Fox Run will take place online.  Details will be announced at a later date.-30- For further information contact: Michel Le Chasseur at (902) 437-7339 Terry Fox Foundation (New Brunswick and PEI) 888.TFOX.RUN (888.836.9786)nbpei@terryfoxrun.orgwww.terryfoxrun.org

 

BORDEN-CARLETON – Traffic on the Confederation Bridge may be temporarily interrupted today as researchers conduct a series of tests to enhance their knowledge of the effects of winds on high-sided vehicles crossing the bridge.

An empty transport truck and a motor coach will be driven across the 12.9-kilometre-long bridge when winds reach speeds near the restriction policy limit of approximately 70km per hour that are forecast later today. High-sided vehicles are not normally permitted to cross the bridge during periods of high winds.

World-renowned researchers from the Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel Laboratory at the University of Western Ontario will outfit the two vehicles with electronic sensors. The sensors will measure and record the vibrations of the empty vehicles as they repeatedly cross the bridge at various speeds. Regular traffic will be restricted for approximately 15 minutes during one test, when the high-sided vehicles will cross the bridge along the centre yellow line.

The Confederation Bridge has enforced the same wind-restriction policy for the past 10 years. The policy was designed in a controlled wind tunnel environment and engineers routinely follow up with local truck drivers to hear how their vehicles perform on windy days. However, no relevant live testing of this kind has ever been performed by the Confederation Bridge or other similar structures around the world.

“When the bridge is restricted to trucks and other vehicles, it prevents the free flow of goods on and off the Island,” explains Michel Le Chasseur, the general manager of the Confederation Bridge. “If we can increase our level of service without compromising safety, everyone benefits. That’s why we need to better understand the effects of wind on these vehicles.”

If winds do not reach the high speeds that are forecast, the testing will be postponed until further notice.

For further information contact: Michel Le Chasseur at (902) 437-7339

March 20, 2008

Effective immediately, the Confederation Bridge has changed its procedures concerning the passage of wide loads across the bridge.

WHAT HAS NOT CHANGED:

A. All vehicles more than 2.6 metres (8.6 feet) wide must stop and report to the scale house in Prince Edward Island or the New Brunswick bridge facility located at Exit 47, where they will be measured before crossing the Confederation Bridge.
B. Vehicles between 3.6 and 4.26 metres (12-14 feet) in width continue to require a Bridge Patrol escort.

WHAT’S NEW AND IMPROVED:

Vehicles less than 3.6 metres (12 feet) in width will now be permitted to cross the bridge without the services of a Bridge Patrol escort. Please note however that for safety reasons, Confederation Bridge authorities may require a Bridge Patrol escort from time to time during periods of inclement weather, or when crews are performing maintenance on the bridge.

This change, approved by Transport Canada, is meant to reduce the frequency of temporary bridge closures and improve the flow of goods between Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick while maintaining a high level of safety for all travellers on the Confederation Bridge.