{"id":50466,"date":"2024-06-17T13:14:23","date_gmt":"2024-06-17T18:14:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/norda.com\/nos-realisations\/autoroute-85\/"},"modified":"2025-02-18T11:29:22","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T16:29:22","slug":"construction-of-highway-85-at-saint-antonin-section-2","status":"publish","type":"achievement","link":"https:\/\/norda.com\/en\/projets\/construction-of-highway-85-at-saint-antonin-section-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Construction of Highway 85 at Saint-Antonin (Section 2)"},"content":{"rendered":" \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n
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\n Highway 85\n <\/h5>\n <\/div>\n
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LOCATION
\nSaint-Antonin, Quebec, Canada<\/p>\n

CLIENT
\nMinist\u00e8re des Transports et de la Mobilit\u00e9 durable<\/p>\n

AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS<\/p>\n

2023
\nWinner of the Grands Prix d’excellence en transport<\/span><\/span>, Coup de c\u0153ur <\/span>award<\/span> in the Infrastructures of the Future <\/span>category<\/span>, Association qu\u00e9b\u00e9coise des transports (<\/span>AQTr<\/span>)<\/span><\/p>\n

2023
\nWinner of the Grands Prix du g\u00e9nie-conseil qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois<\/span><\/span>, Transportation Infrastructure <\/span>category<\/span>, Association des firmes de g\u00e9nie-conseil du Qu\u00e9bec (AFG)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/header>\n <\/div>\n

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\n The Challenge\n <\/div>\n
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This corridor, formerly served only by Route 185, is a neuralgic link between Quebec and the Maritimes. Our mandate covered Section 2, one of the seven sections making up the new Autoroute 85 (A85).\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a trans-Canadian link, it carries a high volume of both automobile and heavy-haul traffic. The construction of this section of a four-lane divided highway had to take into account the high density of wildlife and known areas of crossings used by large wildlife (moose and white-tailed deer), which were the source of frequent accidents. Moreover, this region of the northern Appalachians is also a rich ecosystem (terrestrial and aquatic fauna, peat bogs, lakes, marshes, etc.) and the objective was to put in place measures to preserve it, while allowing the safe passage of thousands of cars and trucks every day.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The area is also very popular with hunters, fishermen, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. As a result, pressure from various groups and associations was very strong to ensure the free circulation of wildlife and protect the environment, without neglecting the safety of motorists.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

All these needs had to be met, and a multidisciplinary team of biologists, engineers and user groups had to work together to pool their expertise and produce an innovative project that would reconcile everyone’s needs and serve as a model for future road projects.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

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\n Our Approach\n <\/div>\n
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Norda Stelo and the client (MTMD) considered the concerns of user groups and conservation organizations to fully understand the situation and needs, with the aim of finding sustainable solutions to protect ecosystems while ensuring road safety.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our biologists and engineers have meticulously studied, perfected and deployed best roads and environmental practices. Nothing was left to chance: the road layout, water management, the size and density of wildlife crossings, fencing and emergency exits for wildlife and limiting the environmental footprint. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The design and layout of the wildlife crossings were closely linked to water and habitat management. By offering several crossing options, Section 2 will serve as a veritable open-air laboratory for ensuring the effective use of these crossings and carrying out comparative tests. Extending the bridges over the Rivi\u00e8re Verte by five meters creates a more natural-looking passage, maximizing the chances of success. This is the main aquatic and land passage. On both sides, fences are installed to keep large and small wildlife away from the road, as well as emergency exits in case of intrusion.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Water management features sedimentation basins that collect drainage and runoff water for filtering, before returning it to the streams. These features also serve as watering holes for the wildlife present, promoting biodiversity.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

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03<\/div>\n \n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n
\n The Result\n <\/div>\n
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Consultation with citizens and government stakeholders enabled Norda Stelo to synthesize, integrate and enhance environmental measures far beyond previous projects in the region. The crossings, based on wildlife movement patterns on either side of section 2, are essential for migration and breeding. In addition, conservation organizations are working to promote ecological connectivity by preserving the natural environments adjacent to the crossings. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Particular care has been taken to recreate habitats using natural, uncrushed rock in the watercourses. The revegetation of banks and embankments was accelerated by the use of permanent plant meshes and native plants. These measures helped to rapidly restore an environment conducive to biodiversity.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a trans-Canada highway link, its widening to four lanes helps to facilitate freight transport and economic activity in the country. According to modelling carried out by researchers, the completed A85 will reduce transportation costs and increase Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) by almost two billion dollars a year. Already, comparing the 1996-2000 period prior to the first work on the A85 with the 2016-2020 period, there has been an 80% reduction in the loss of human life on this road.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Neighboring<\/span> provinces and states have expressed interest in the measures implemented during this project. Environmental monitoring of the use of wildlife crossings will be carried out to document the effectiveness of the model and encourage its use elsewhere.\u202f\u202f<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n

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\n Highlights\n <\/div>\n
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