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Sept Isles


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Some news about the trail 3 between Port Cartier and Sept Isles.

Seems a bridge on 3 east of Port Cartier crossing a river has been condemned.

http://lenord-cotier.com/motoneige-sept-iles-nest-plus-relie-au-reste-du-quebec-par-un-sentier/

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Google translation 

No organized snowmobile trail currently re-reads Sept-Îles to the rest of Quebec, due to the fragile structure of a bridge on the Trans-Québec Highway. The Odanak Snowmobile Club of Port-Cartier was forced to prohibit the crossing of one of the Trans-Québec Highway bridges, located between Sept-Îles and Port-Cartier. The fragility of the structure motivated the decision. The situation slows down the tourist season according to the Club, since it is the only path linking the region to the rest of Quebec. A study by an engineering firm allowed Club Odanak to identify bridges that represented a risk of subsidence. "We commissioned a study five years ago to know the condition of our bridges. Over the past few years, the main bridges for which money has been received have been repaired, "said Odanak Club President Guy Fortin. This year, at the start of the winter season, snowmobile club officials had to close access to a bridge over a creek that crosses the Trans-Québec Highway, east of Port-Cartier. Built by volunteers some 20 years ago, the bridge would be made entirely of roundwood and would be about 40 feet long. "The bridge was built by volunteers. Today, it takes plans and quotes, which costs more money, "says the president. Although the structure could still withstand snowmobiles, officials were concerned that the passage of the resurfacer could cause it to fail. "Since the resurfacer could not pass, we did not have the choice to close the bridge." Snow bridge In a few weeks, a snow bridge will be erected to allow passage over the river. "Since it's a little stream, we can confirm that it's going to be safe. It's a frequent thing [a snow bridge] in clubs, "says Fortin. For Guy Fortin, "Sept-Îles is no longer connected to the rest of the world". Indeed, Trans-Québec Road is the only snowmobile trail linking Sept-Îles to the rest of Quebec. A situation that delays the tourist season, he believes. "It prevents traffic to the east of Port-Cartier, but especially, it delays the tourist season." Expected grant For lack of money to renovate the bridge, the club says it had no choice but to close it. "We've been watching him for five years. We asked for several grants, but we never had favorable answers, "argues Guy Fortin. The requests for grants made to the Société du Plan Nord, the off-road vehicle program of the Ministère des Transports du Québec and the Restoration Program for watercourse crossings were all not retained. According to an engineering firm hired by the club, the cost of renovating the bridge would be $ 250,000. Recently, the Odanak Club has submitted a grant application to the Ministry of Tourism, for which it is still waiting for an answer. Guy Fortin also hopes that the Quebec Federation of Snowmobile Clubs will support them in his efforts.

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If I'm reading this correctly, the trail (3) is closed in this section until it gets cold enough to build a snow bridge to cross the water.  Then late in the season the trail will probably close early.  The $250,000 price tag is crazy money but it is a more permanent fix.

Thanks JG.

Jack & Sandi

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A member who is a Quebec resident might be able to comment further on why this is but based on what we see for new bridges being built, the Government prefers to put engineered steel structures in place vs wooden structures on the trail system. Between design, materials, and labor to install the $250K price tag doesn't seem excessive - but still hard to justify for some of us thrifty Yankees.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Was planning a trip to Harve St. Pierre I Feb. Is there any chance there will be an alternate route, or possibly allow sleds to use the auto bridge over the river.?

Can't imagine the economic impact north of here, as im sure the communities count on snowmobile tourism.

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8 hours ago, ODog said:

According to the local Port Cartier club, Club de Mononeigistes Odanak, this is no longer an issue. The trail is open from Tadousac to Sept Iles, "and further'.    

 

I think in the original post they mentioned building an ice bridge, so by now I am sure they have accomplished it

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On 2018-01-19 at 3:16 PM, ODog said:

According to the local Port Cartier club, Club de Mononeigistes Odanak, this is no longer an issue. The trail is open from Tadousac to Sept Iles, "and further'.    

 

This is greats news Dog

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  • 3 weeks later...
1 hour ago, Pipeman said:

Heading there from Shawinigan in the morning, not in one days ride but you knew that 😀 then we will back track to Godbout take the Ferry Wednesday at 5pm to Matane and work our way back to Shawinigan. 

Looking forward to your trail reports.

Enjoy the ride.

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Day one mostly trail 3 to Bair st Paul for the night. From just north of Quebec City area to 25 miles south of BSP the 3 was trashed! I don’t think we ever ran such a long stretch of trail that bad. I was ready for a hot shower and a couple Advil.  Room at motel Chalets chez Laurent was great

 

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Day 2 was a brand new day! The groomer God’s worked their magic all the way to Forestville👍 Only issue was after gassing up at Escoumins the wind began to howl and the snow was really coming down,  fun stuff til we pulled into the Econo Lodge in Forestville for the night. This should make trails entertaining tomorrow 

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5 hours ago, 800steve said:

Weekend around Quebec City is a big no-no. Last weekend we went to Baie St Paul up thru L Etape just to avoid that area 23-369-3 not bad.

Yeah we know and I expected it to be less than perfect but it was truly 💩

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Well we changed directions today due to the weather calling for freezing rain potential on Thursday in Matane. So this morning we went to Chanel du Nord then took Benoit’s trail over to the Pelchat trail and ended up at KM 31 tonight. Going to play in the Monts tomorrow then head for the Abitibi on the 93 Wednesday then back the 83 eventually Shawinigan. Want to stay where the cold is. Oh well we will be back up March 2 maybe try again. By the way the trail from Chenal du Nord to Pelchat trail was outstanding,, we hit some impressive drifts!

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We are in Heberrville tonight,  plan to do the Cave tomorrow and onto Chanail or Forestville tomorrow night. Wednesday head for Sept Isles, or this is the plan. However we all know what can happen when the trail maps are spread out on the bed the night before and are reviewed with a cocktail!!

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8 hours ago, smclelan said:

We are in Heberrville tonight,  plan to do the Cave tomorrow and onto Chanail or Forestville tomorrow night. Wednesday head for Sept Isles, or this is the plan. However we all know what can happen when the trail maps are spread out on the bed the night before and are reviewed with a cocktail!!

And rereviewed the next morning on the crapper!LOL!

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On 1/19/2018 at 3:16 PM, ODog said:

According to the local Port Cartier club, Club de Mononeigistes Odanak, this is no longer an issue. The trail is open from Tadousac to Sept Iles, "and further'.    

 

Day 1 in the books.  Bay St Paul to Forestville. 230 mi. Trail conditions a mixed bag some good, some bad but still tons better than working on a Tuesday. Blue skies and 15 deg. There's plenty of snow, just need the groomers to do their magic on 378 and Q3 tadousac to the 93 split.  North from there 6.5 out of 10. Tomorrow's plan is a 240 mi run up to Port Cartier. Weather forecast is favorable for a following day attempt at the -FIN of Q3- east of Havre St Pierre ..stay tuned!

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Did the cave and waterfall Tuesday and ended up in Sacre Coeur. Wednesday put us in Baie Comeau, great trails all day  Sitting in the Comfort Inn Sept Iles tonight. Trails a bit choppy first 20 miles out of BC, after that trails were perfect. Tomorrow back to BC to catch the 5pm ferry to Matane. 595 to New Richmond Saturday. 

 

 

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