A Record-Breaking Caisson for AGF

AGF is currently contributing to the construction of the new Île-d’Orléans bridge project of the ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable, a major infrastructure project that will support mobility between Île d’Orléans and the Quebec City region for decades to come. The current bridge plays an essential role in daily travel in the region, with nearly 12,000 vehicles crossing it every day.

A record-breaking achievement for AGF

As part of this project, AGF is supplying the reinforcing steel and prefabricating several foundation structures. Among them is a record-breaking achievement: the longest rebar caisson ever fabricated in AGF’s history.

💡 What is a caisson?

A caisson is a reinforcing steel structure used to reinforce the foundations of a structure. As part of the new Île-d’Orléans bridge project, the caissons are installed inside drilled shafts before concrete is poured, helping ensure the stability and durability of the future bridge piers (pillars).

To make its fabrication, transportation and installation possible, this massive caisson was divided into six prefabricated sections. Once on the job site, the sections were assembled and connected one by one to form a final structure more than 100 metres high. Once assembled, the caisson was installed at the bottom of the St. Lawrence River, inside a drilled shaft.

Prefabrication at the heart of the project

Building a structure of this scale begins long before it reaches the job site. It all starts at AGF’s shop, where each of the caisson’s six sections is prefabricated by our teams.

Thanks to its facilities, equipment and the expertise of its teams, AGF is able to complete a significant portion of the work at its prefabrication shop before the sections reach the job site. This approach allows work to be carried out in an environment with reduced health and safety risks, ensures better quality control and helps optimize operations on site.

Once prefabricated, each section is transported separately by trailer to the job site.

Major logistical challenges

Transporting the caisson sections to the job site presented a major challenge due to their size and weight. Some sections measured up to 27 metres long and weighed nearly 44 tonnes. Moving them required specialized transportation, along with careful planning to coordinate deliveries with the construction schedule.

A key partnership for the project’s success

A project of this scale also relies on close collaboration between several partners. We would like to recognize the work of our partner, Armatures EB, whose teams played a key role in assembling and installing the caisson sections on the job site. Their expertise greatly contributes to the successful execution of the work.

A custom-engineered solution

Lifting and installing the caisson sections also presented a major challenge due to their exceptional size. To meet the project’s specific requirements, AGF worked closely with an engineering firm to develop a lifting solution tailored to this unique structure. This approach helped ensure the safe handling and installation of each section on the job site.

This achievement is a great example of AGF’s ability to adapt to the unique requirements of each project and develop solutions that meet the specific needs of its clients.

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A milestone achievement for AGF

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who contributed to this achievement!