A new standard in tunnel safety in Canada
Egis created new expectations in Canada for tunnel fire protection and safety, through its multidisciplinary expertise and by suggesting the renovation of a tunnel that meets the demanding European Union fire safety standards.
Leveraging expertise gained from similar projects such as the Lyon’s tunnel, Egis collaborates closely with CIMA+ to bring this initiative to life during the refurbishment of the Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine tunnel.
In collaboration with CIMA+, Egis has been mandated to play two roles in the project:
- As an "Expert Advisor", we ensure the diligent review of technical provisions, project costs, schedule, risks, and their optimal distribution, as well as an optimizing of the project's technical requirements.
- As an "independent verifier", we ensure compliance with technical requirements, develop a quality assurance plan, and certify the work’s conformity to the Contractor's contract (a consortium of Eurovia, Pomerleau, and Dodin Campenon Bernard, with their designer Hatch and WSP). This role includes a risk and safety audit to verify that the refurbished structure meets the European Union’s safety criteria.
This is the first application of EU standards in Canada for such a structure, paving the way for a new safety standard for travelers and raising national standards. The renovation ensures the tunnel will continue to support high traffic volumes, keeping the existing infrastructure and avoiding any disruption that would have been caused by the creation of a new structure.
Ensuring continuity of service
Egis's involvement in this project will enable the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine Tunnel to continue providing safe service between Montreal and the South shore. Unlike many tunnels worldwide that restrict trucks due to fire safety concerns, this tunnel remains an important link for trucking companies.
Egis's experience in renovating existing tunnels in France meeting European Union fire safety standards has strengthened its credentials to help the Montreal tunnel meet best practices in this area.
This tunnel is expected to provide several more decades of service for private and commercial vehicles, avoiding the need to build a costly new bridge over the Saint Lawrence River, which would disrupt communities on both sides with a significant impact on the environment.
