Premier, Quebec City mayor unveil plans for $3B tramway

Premier Philippe Couillard and Mayor Régis Labeaume unveiled an ambitious plan Friday for a $3-billion tramway project for Quebec City.

A 23-kilometre tram line would cross the city, roughly from west to east, and will be complemented by a 17-kilometre “trambus” line and new dedicated bus lanes, all in service of easing traffic congestion, especially to the suburbs and airport.

The long-awaited project was announced alongside projections that Quebec City will see a 29 per cent increase in transit ridership by 2026 and 12,600 fewer cars on the roads.

According to the plan, construction could take eight years and partial operation could commence by 2025. The tramway will have two underground sections, one under the parliamentary building, and at least three new underground stations: Place D’Youville, Centre des congrès and au Grand Théâtre.

Couillard made an initial pledge of $215 million, toward planning and development, with Quebec and Ottawa expected to foot most of the $3-billion projected price tag. Quebec City will invest $300 million for “urban development,” including landscaping and widening sidewalks. Once rolling, the project’s annual operating costs are estimated at $155 million.

Couillard said he expects 25 per cent of the materials used to be Canadian, the maximum allowed under trade agreements, but said he would not favour Quebec company Bombardier.

“I want the presentations to be as competitive as possible,” Couillard said in response to a question.

Labeaume declared that the project would make Quebec a modern city. He quoted Couillard as telling him, ” ‘Régis, we must see far and we must see wide.’ He didn’t have to tell me twice.”

Lévis Mayor Gilles Lehouillier is not likely as pleased as his city was not included in this initial plan. Labeaume said it will be up to his fellow mayor to campaign the provincial government.

The tram project is part of a three-prong plan to link the capital region’s south and north sectors. “We are finally coming back to a new era of major projects for Quebec,” Couillard said, mentioning the James Bay project.

Agnès Maltais, Parti- Québécois MNA for Taschereau in the Quebec City region, said the new project fits “perfectly” with her party’s goals. Likewise for Québec Solidaire. No comment, however, from the Coalition Avenir Québec.