Peter Black
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
peterblack@qctonline.com
The so-called “third link” idea is not dead. Indeed, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government wants to see its recently abandoned notion of another river crossing re-examined in the study of a transit system for Quebec City which it ordered the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) to undertake.
Details of the mandate the Legault government handed the Caisse’s infrastructure division were made public last week, confirming reports a connection to the South Shore would be included. The CAQ gave the Caisse six months to come up with what it believes to be the best and most cost-efficient system.
The basic mandate is “to identify a structuring transportation project to improve public transportation for Quebec City [and] to improve mobility and fluidity in the Metropolitan Community of Quebec, particularly between the two shores.”
In a media release, Jean-Marc Arbaud, the head of the Caisse’s infrastructure arm, said, “To achieve this mandate, CDPQ Infra will draw on the experience and expertise of its teams in the analysis and planning of large transportation projects acquired in Quebec and elsewhere in the world, while relying on essential collaboration [from] the ministry of transport and sustainable mobility and the Ville de Québec.”
The Legault government announced the abandonment of its plan to build a tunnel between Quebec City and Lévis in April. Since then, it’s been unclear what the next move would be in finding an alternative.
While the Caisse examines options, the office created for the initial tramway project will remain open and continue to work on various “essential” aspects of the system. According to media reports, transport ministry officials have asked the office for a report on work undertaken and underway. The office is also asked to work closely with the Caisse study.
Radio-Canada obtained a copy of a letter from the Ministry of Transport to the city saying it “wants the city to maintain the required teams in order to collaborate with CDPQ Infra in carrying out its mandate and to preserve the expertise developed.”
Radio-Canada also reported that the Caisse may be paid for its study of Quebec’s transit needs, depending on what plan is decided. If it turns out the Caisse will manage the project, the cost would be included in the project’s costs. If the project is handed off to another entity, the Caisse would be reimbursed.
Various interest groups are asking the Caisse to be heard during the process of exploring transit options. According to the 2015 agreement the Caisse had to plan and build Montreal’s REM system, it is required to consult with interested parties. Radio-Canada reports at least one group, Accès Transports Viables, has received an invitation from the Caisse.
Another citizens’ group, Québec Désire son Tramway, had yet to be contacted. Co-founder Nora Loreto told the QCT the group had sent an official request to the Caisse to be heard. The group recently staged a march in support of the tramway that drew thousands.
Meanwhile, a new political party fiercely opposed to the tramway is also asking to be consulted on the future transit project. Respect Citoyens, whose co-founder is former Quebec Conservative Party candidate Stéphane Lachance, wants to propose alternatives to the tramway plan, including reconverting a railway line into a suburban train route.
Photo from CDPQ Infra website
Caisse Infra head Jean-Marc Arbaud.