Charles de Gaulle Bridge, Steel bridge between Repentigny and Rivière-des-Prairies-Pointe-aux-Trembles, Canada.
The Charles de Gaulle Bridge is a 1045-meter steel structure spanning the Rivière des Prairies, connecting Montreal's eastern neighborhoods to the Lanaudière region. It carries six lanes of Autoroute 40 and serves as a major route toward Trois-Rivières and Quebec City.
The bridge opened in 1965, establishing a vital link between Montreal and northern regions along the Saint Lawrence River. It was built during a period when Quebec was rapidly modernizing its infrastructure.
The bridge takes its name from French President Charles de Gaulle and reflects the strong French influence on Quebec's infrastructure during that era. This naming choice shows how deeply French history shaped the region's public spaces and identity.
The bridge is open daily for traffic in both directions, with peak times varying depending on the time of day. Pedestrians and cyclists should note that this is primarily an expressway and alternative crossings may be safer.
Morning traffic often creates extensive backups extending into Repentigny, while afternoon congestion primarily affects eastbound lanes toward Charlemagne. This pattern reveals how predictable the daily traffic flow is and how heavily the region depends on this crossing.
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