EXPLAINER GOES UNDER THE BRIDGE DOWNTOWN.

1. On Wednesday this plaque was unveiled just under the Jacques-Cartier Bridge. It sits within a new public square (actually, it's a circle) that includes benches and trees. "The project consisted of developing a public space including stonework, landscaping, commemorative works, [and] architectural lighting of the adjacent stone bridge piers, all to commemorate last year's 75th anniversary of the bridge and... the borough's goal to render the area more attractive, inviting and safe," according to a release. The plaque was presented by the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering. JCCBI chipped in $1.2-million for the project, while the city gave $139,700 and the province $23,300.

2. The Jacques-Cartier Bridge was not originally the Jacques-Cartier Bridge. When it opened to traffic on May 14, 1930, the bridge was known as "Harbour Bridge" or "Pont du Havre." The inauguration ceremony brought out an estimated 4,000 dignitaries. Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King was there in voice but not in person. He delivered a speech by telephone from Ottawa and then pressed a button to remotely unveil a plaque commemorating the occasion. Today, 43 million vehicles cross the bridge each year. The bridge initially charged a toll to help pay back the cost of its construction, but that was abolished on June 1, 1962. Before that, a car and driver cost 25 cents (plus 15 cents for each passenger), a pedestrian cost 15 cents, and, strangely, a vehicle pulled by a dog or goat cost 15 cents. That was also the price for a wheelbarrow. The bridge was officially renamed for the famous explorer on September 1, 1934, after Georges Pelletier, the editor of Le Devoir, started a petition calling for the change. The bridge is now widely known for two things: having protesters climb it to call attention to their cause, and people using it to kill themselves. Roughly 10 to 12 people jump off the bridge annually, making it the second most popular suicide spot behind San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. Suicide barriers were recently installed to try and keep people from jumping.

 
 

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*Explain this!!!*     It wasn't until I recently did some more traveling that I noticed that we really are lazy bunch when it comes to selling ourselves to tourists and more importantly, our fellow citizens. I sometimes think that we don't take pride in our city the way we should. That it took the 75th anniversary of the Jacques-Cartier Bridge to beautify the area is sad. Many coast cities recognize the advantage of cleaning up and highlighting the obvious tourist traps. The Jacques-Cartier Bridge has sorely needed something and now it has it. It's not much but at least it doesn't totally look like so ghetto pit stop.
Pedro Eggers	{4 votes}	July 20th, 2006
Bridge Memories     It has been a few years since I have driven a car over the Jacques Cartier Bridge. On that occasion we went to a Caisse Populaire to check if a cheque was good. We found out the account had been closed long ago. It has been decades since I have ridden my bicycle or walked across the bridge. The superstructure was the biggest obstacle to my same day round trip bike excursion to Granby. These days whenever I have reason to get to the South Shore I now use the Metro to the Longueuil Station. It is the most relaxing way of crossing the river. The Jacques Cartier Bridge should be used more for trucks than for cars. Commuters on the South Shore should be using the Metro or the trains to get to Montreal. Bicycle riders can even use the Metro during off peak hours.
Stephen Talko	{5 votes}	July 18th, 2006
(((My Two Cents))) - A New Montreal Site That All Should Visit     The Jacques Cartier Bridge has always had quite a negative reputation. Firstly, naturally people know of all the suicides that have occured, secondly, many people sometimes complain about the very interesting odours present there, then thirdly, there are all of the very 'interesting' personalities that you encounter as you walk under the bridge. Ultimately, Montrealers don't view the Jacques Cartier Bridge the way, per se, people from San Francisco view the Golden Gate Bridge. However, the city of Montreal is attempting to change that now by commemorating the bridge and making it an overall greater place. The area is quite wonderful and the history attached to it is quite exciting. That site is very special and Montrealers should be made aware of it. Not only is the bridge being commemorated, but they are also fixing up the site to attract a lot more people. Hopefully, this will have a myriad of positive consequences.
Zachary Masoud	{7 votes}	July 18th, 2006
There is still a lot of work needed in this city!     I think we really need a third bridge because of the traffic. I also think the they should continue to have tolls on all three bridges and use it for road repairs and upkeep of the bridges. As for the suicides and the protesters on the bridge., I also agree that they should not be reported and that they should not be given attention. There are always copie cats and if they here about an event like this they may get the idea to do the same. Through the protestors in jail and those who decide to jump to end their life , well I guess they have the right to! But don't report this because you are just giving more ideas to very sick people out there. I believe many of those suicides might have been accidents too. People climb the bridges to see the fire works and they are high or drunk and they fall off.There are alot of little corners in this city that really need some cleaning up. Would like to see more of the bicycle paths connecting in the city. You need to open up Cavendish boul. Then you can put a bike path down Decarie to meet the others that already exist below Sherbrook and on into St Henri and the Lachine cannal. The safer you make the etreets and the more efficient the transportation the less cars you will find in the city!
Maria Cecillia Silva	{18 votes}	July 14th, 2006
Hurrah for suicide barriers and green spaces!     It's really great that Montreal decided to make a little plaza to honour the bridge- every little green space counts, especially in that part of town, along the river where so many people gather. The waterfront, such as it is, should totally be cultivated. And I'm especially delighted with the juxtaposition of this crazy big bridge with its suicide barriers and fenced-in pedestrian walkway with a nice little square. The picture really says it all- it's a beautiful little urban idea.
Erin Stropes	{25 votes}	July 13th, 2006
Use the plaque instead of the bridge     The Jacques-Cartier bridge is an important landmark of Montreal. It makes Montreal as easy to recognize as the Eiffel Tower helps us recognize Paris. But as Silverman mentions, recently, climbing the bridge and blocking traffic becomes the new thing to do. It seems the more you pay attention to those guys climbing the bridge the more it inspires others to do the same. The goal is not to stop reporting about it but when every single station reports on the event, when talkshows use all their air time to cover such a story, it just inspires any lunatic wanting a little bit of TV coverage to climb the bridge. Maybe TV stations should only start covering people who climb on top of the new plaque. They would still get the air time they're looking for, there would be no danger of them killing themselves by accidently falling down, we would not need to call in the SWAT team and every worker returning home after work will be able to enjoy a meal with family instead of spoiling all their gas stuck in traffic.
Marc Charette	{24 votes}	July 13th, 2006
The little bridge that could     This bridge is a part of Montreal. I think the plaque thing is a good idea since it gives us a chance to appreciate the best bridge in town. I always love to go here and catch the wonderful fireworks.it's such a nice sight to see, and it's free. This bridge has gone through it's ups and downs in the past, as well as many, many different names to go along with it. I'm happy Hour took the time and did a little piece on this bridge; it's the little things in Montreal that do the biggest jobs. Also, it's a good idea they put up the suicidal barriers to turn some people off from jumping off too. I never really knew what they were for before.
Meghna Patel	{9 votes}	July 13th, 2006
Jacques Cartier Bridge     Living on the South Shore, I know both the Jacques Cartier and Champlain (and Victoria) bridges quite intimately. I spend much time on them as I wait out the traffic. So for me, these bridges aren't about suicide takers, but TRAFFIC. The protestors who climb up onto the infrastructures make the problems even worse. I remember once when that guy climb up in the name of fathers and they had to close the bridge. This caused so much more traffic on the other ways back to the shore that it took me nearly two hours to get home. The story of the tolls is also timely. I know for years they have been talking about reinstalling some of the tolls on Champlain. They're always doing construction on it, so I suppose they need to find money to pay for it! But I am concerned that the installation of tolls will just make traffic even worse.
Reena Tabing	{5 votes}	July 13th, 2006
Jacques Cartier     I've been on the bridge by car, by bike and by foot to see fire works (which is totally awsome). It's a shame that people have to use it for a cause and close down traffic and really a shame that people jump off from it. I'm happy they put up barriers. Also, if you go see the fireworks on the bridge, do be careful when walking under the bridge because some weirdos find it funny to drop off their beer bottles of the bridge. Now that they put up a plaque, which is well deserved, I'll have to go by and see it.
Rita Reale	{3 votes}	July 17th, 2006

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