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Pont de Québec

Le Pont de Québec est un pont cantilever en acier qui traverse le fleuve Saint-Laurent entre Québec et Lévis, au Québec.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Pont de Québec is a steel cantilever bridge that spans the Saint Lawrence River between Quebec City and Lévis, Quebec. Opened in 1917, it holds the record for the longest cantilever span in the world and is designated a National Historic Site of Canada. The bridge carries rail, road, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic.

Description

The Pont de Québec is a riveted steel cantilever structure that crosses the Saint Lawrence River between Quebec City and Lévis. It is used for railway and road traffic, as well as for active transportation such as walking and cycling.

Construction and opening

Construction began in 1900 and was completed in 1917, after a history marked by construction failures and work stoppages. The bridge became a major symbol of Canadian civil engineering.

Engineering record

The bridge is recognized for its clear span of 549 metres between its two main piers, making it the longest cantilever bridge in the world according to sources consulted. This characteristic is frequently cited as its principal engineering achievement.

Heritage status

The Pont de Québec has received several heritage designations, including that of a National Historic Site of Canada. It also appears in federal and provincial heritage registers.

Key facts

  • The bridge connects the north and south shores of the Saint Lawrence River, west of downtown Quebec City.
  • It is a steel cantilever bridge, originally designed for rail and adapted for mixed use.
  • Its clear span of 549 m is presented as the longest in the world for a cantilever bridge.
  • The total length is 987 m and its height is about 104 m.
  • It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1995.
  • The bridge continues to serve rail, road, pedestrian, and bicycle transport.
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Canadian context

Le Pont de Québec est une infrastructure emblématique du Québec et un lieu historique national du Canada, souvent cité comme un jalon majeur de l’ingénierie canadienne.[4][6]

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Pont de Québec located?
It crosses the Saint Lawrence River between Quebec City and Lévis, Quebec, Canada.
What type of bridge is the Pont de Québec?
It is a steel cantilever bridge, designed for rail and road traffic.
What is its length?
Its total length is 987 m, according to sources consulted.
Why is it famous?
It is best known for holding the world's longest clear span for a cantilever bridge.
Is it a heritage site?
Yes. It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1995.

References

  1. Gouvernement du Québechttps://www.patrimoine-culturel.gouv.qc.ca/detail.do?methode=consulter&id=105319&type=bien
    Supports: Localisation, type de pont, période de construction, usage actuel, dimensions générales.
  2. Gouvernement du Canadahttps://www.canada.ca/fr/logement-infrastructures-collectivites/nouvelles/2021/04/saviez-vous-que.html
    Supports: Longueur totale, portée libre, désignation patrimoniale fédérale.
  3. Parcs Canadahttps://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_nhs_fra.aspx?id=851
    Supports: Description patrimoniale, dimensions, type cantilever, mise en service, statut de lieu historique national.
  4. Ville de Québechttps://www.ville.quebec.qc.ca/citoyens/patrimoine/archives/pages_histoire/pont_de_quebec.aspx
    Supports: Portée libre, statut de plus long pont cantilever, contexte historique.
  5. Gouvernement du Canadahttps://www.canada.ca/fr/logement-infrastructures-collectivites/nouvelles/2019/08/lhistoire-du-pont-de-quebec.html
    Supports: Rôle de liaison entre les rives et usage continu pour le transport.
  6. Commission de toponymie du Québechttps://toponymie.gouv.qc.ca/ct/ToposWeb/fiche.aspx?no_seq=77087
    Supports: Nom officiel, gestion, localisation et description générale.