Champagne takes on his new role at a time when the federal government faces criticism over slower-than-expected progress on major infrastructure projects. Predecessor Amarjeet Sohi now is minister of natural resources, responsible for pushing along the stalled and controversial $7.4-billion expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline in western Canada, whose purchase the government is about to complete. Sohi was likely tapped for the post in part because of political roots in Alberta.

Champagne’s office told Canadian Press earlier this month that 100% of earmarked federal funds have been committed for more than 4,200 projects, but 70% of projects had not yet claimed funding. He told Canada’s Globe and Mail newspaper in 2009 that he has “built the reputation as someone who could deliver.” Still, Champagne’s options to expedite the bridge may be limited, short of “throwing more forces” at the project, notes John Gamble, president and CEO of Canada’s Association of Consulting Engineering Cos., adding that “there is a cost to that.” A strike by crane operators across Quebec in late June also did not help progress, he says, adding “there is certainly a feeling that the Dec. 21 completion date is optimistic.”

The consortium, meanwhile, filed a $95-million suit last year, arguing it wasn’t given a heads-up early enough in the project schedule that loads would be limited on the existing bridge, more than a year after construction, say Canadian press reports. Restrictions on the old bridge, used to ferry construction material, created big complications by requiring water transport. “We have always said the biggest project challenge was the schedule,” says a consortium spokeswoman. “It is too early to determine the precise impacts of the crane operators’ situation … but we are doing a thorough analysis of the situation.”