Heavy vehicles needing special load permits won't be allowed to cross the Champlain Bridge as of October 10th.
The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated called the decision a preventative measure, and says around 5.3 million trucks cross the span every year. According to the JCCBI, repeated trips of overweight vehicles is causing too much stress on the structure.
Trucks with Class 5 and 6 designations will be prohibited from crossing the Champlain until construction on the new bridge is completed in 2018. Class 5 applies to vehicles with a total mass between 66 and 79 tonnes while Class 6 applies to trucks weighing over 80 tonnes.