Info-Project line
Advisor – Community Relations
Bridge repairs at the Rapide‑7 and Rapide‑2 generating stations
Bridge closures and mitigation measures
The bridges spanning the Rivière des Outaouais at Rapide‑7 and Rapide‑2 generating stations have reached the end of their useful life (roughly 70 years) and will be rebuilt. While yearly inspections and regular repairs have helped keep the degradation under control, damage accumulated over the years has made major work inevitable. The Rapide‑2 facility was commissioned in 1954, and Rapide‑7 was commissioned in 1941. The bridges are therefore nearly 70 and over 80 years old, respectively.
The projected lifespan for the new bridge decks is 75 years.
Mitigation measures
Rapide‑7
Relocation of a segment of a regional snowmobile trail
To minimize the impact of the closure of the Rapide‑7 bridge, an agreement was reached between Hydro‑Québec and the Club de motoneige de Val-d’Or to relocate a segment of regional snowmobile trail 309, which crossed the bridge at the Rapide‑7 facility. The trail now follows the logging bridge a few kilometres north of Rapide‑7. For more information on the new trail segment, please see the interactive snowmobile trail map on the website of the Fédération des clubs de motoneigistes du Québec.
Rapide‑2
To minimize the impacts of the closure of the Rapide‑2 bridge, Hydro‑Québec will install a pathway for pedestrians and ATVs, anchored to the concrete wall of the dam. This pathway will allow rough shelter leaseholders and other users to cross the river when the worksite is not active.
ATVs, including two‑passenger models, must be no wider than 1.7 meters and no heavier than 1,000 kg (1 t), passengers and materials included. There is no limit to the number of ATVs using the bridge at the same time, but stopping is prohibited. The speed limit is 5 km/h. Clearance height: 2 metres.
The bridge will be closed during the winter, but there will be a corridor on the dam for ATVs and snowmobiles.
December 2023 : Winter bridge closure and opening of a corridor on the dam
The pedestrian and ATV bridge upstream of the dam is now closed for the winter. As of December 11, 2023, a corridor for ATVs and snowmobiles has been accessible on the dam. Users may now cross on the left bank at all times by taking the safely marked‑off lane.
Follow the signs and be careful!
Opening of the bridge for boat crossings at the beginning and end of the season
A dedicated telephone line will provide information on the opening hours of the lane. Once the line is up and running, we’ll make an announcement in the Info-Project newsletter, which you can sign up for on this web page.
Rapide‑2 and Rapide‑7 bridge closures
People who use the Rapide‑2 and Rapide‑7 bridges will need to alter their routes, since the structures will be completely closed to traffic for the duration of the work.
