“It will finish eventually, but it’s really longer than expected,” – André Fortin

“It will finish eventually, but it’s really longer than expected,” – André Fortin

Pontiac MNA André Fortin understands Pontiacer’s concern with the work on the Félix-Gabriel-Marchand Bridge, but still believes the work will be completed, despite various delays in recent months.

Fortin was the provincial Minister of Transport four years ago when the work was announced, and at the time it was expected to take two years.

“I don’t think that there is reason to be worried, I understand people’s preoccupation with what can be called the Félix-Gabriel-Marchand Bridge saga. I was Transport Minister when the renovations were announced, and I was quite proud of it, it’s a highlight for the community and we want the bridge to be in good shape for the decades to come. Except that it’s really a saga, when we saw the initial sign that said 104 weeks, it required explanations and seemed very long to many, but we could understand because it’s a heritage bridge. That prolongs things a lot and the contractor will face significant penalties, but it doesn’t seem to be going any faster,” he said (translated).

Like Pontiac Warden Jane Toller, Fortin wasn’t satisfied with the progress of the work.

“Myself, I’m worried and I find that things are not moving fast enough. The work will be done, but things are not progressing at a speed we would have liked,” he said (translated).

The full (French-language) interview with André Fortin is available here.