The bridge has two sections across the Rivière des Prairies, which are separated by Île Bourdon.

[1] Built in 1939,[2] the bridge underwent a major reconstruction in 2001 as well as the addition of a reserved lane for the Metrobus on the eastern structure.

It is one of only two river crossings at the eastern tip of Montreal to the Lanaudière region (Repentigny, Charlemagne and Lavaltrie areas), the other being the Charles de Gaulle Bridge on Quebec Autoroute 40.

On both sides of the bridge, it is known as Rue Notre-Dame but immediately after crossing the bridge, westbound Route 138 turns into Sherbrooke Street via a new roundabout through most of the eastern half of the island, including Downtown Montreal.

The bridge is named after Pierre Legardeur (1600–1648), a New France general and the first lord of Repentigny.