The bridge consists of 4 spans and crosses Riopelle, Cunningham and Bate Islands in the Ottawa River.

On the Ontario side, it is a continuation of Island Park Drive and is also connected to the Kichi Zibi Mikan.

The bridge was named after Samuel de Champlain who is associated with the portage around the rapids in this section of the river.

The short access roadway on the Aylmer side of the bridge is called Place Samuel de Champlain.

A 2 mi (3.2 km) stretch of the Ottawa River that the Champlain Bridge passes over was not charted by the Canadian Hydrographic Service.