Inaugurated in 1962, the Champlain Bridge had to be dismantled due to the premature deterioration of critical structural elements. Spanning the Seaway used by marine traffic, the deconstruction involved the removal of a massive span over 100 meters long and weighing more than 2,000 tonnes, suspended between two cantilevered steel structures on either side of the channel. This colossal operation had to be carried out while minimizing disruptions to maritime navigation on this vital artery of the North American economy.