Commuters and visitors crossing the iconic Jacques Cartier Bridge will soon be greeted by a striking new artistic installation as they approach from the South Shore. The federal agency managing the bridge has announced that a major public art piece will be installed in 2026, coinciding with the completion of the approach area's redevelopment.
Artist and Installation Details
Visual artist Karole Biron has been selected to create the sculpture titled Intersection through a rigorous Canada-wide competition process. The selection was made by a committee comprising public art experts from both Montreal and Longueuil, along with visual arts specialists and representatives from Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI).
The artwork features irregular triangles that form what the artist describes as "a symbol of unity and harmony." Biron explains that the sculpture's tapering, asymmetrical pillars represent two shores, two hands, or two solidly anchored bodies meeting at a point of connection.
Symbolism and Materials
Where these elements meet, irregular triangles adorned with latticework create what appears as floating lace that seems to dance with movement. The artist emphasizes that Intersection simultaneously evokes strength and elegance, diversity and oneness, assertiveness and fragility.
Environmental sustainability played a crucial role in the artwork's creation. The sculpture utilizes bronze and stainless steel, both recyclable and long-lasting materials. Notably, some of the bronze used in the latticework consisted of scraps collected from a craft foundry, aligning with the corporation's requirement for environmentally friendly proposals using recycled materials.
Location and Significance
The installation will be positioned at the strategic point in Longueuil where traffic lanes to and from Montreal split. This location emphasizes the bridge's role in connecting regions and communities, with the artwork paying tribute to the perseverance, ingenuity and know-how of those responsible for building the historic bridge.
JCCBI CEO Sandra Martel expressed confidence that "Intersection will quickly establish itself as a magnificent and timeless landmark" for bridge users. The selection process included a public survey that identified History and Heritage as the most popular theme, while Peace and Respect received the most votes for values to be represented.
Biron, who previously created the Portée sculpture outside the Montreal Heart Institute, describes her new work as being "about an encounter" that inspires reflection and conjures an ideal of peace while highlighting the bridge's connective purpose between communities.
