City unveils $204 million for 200 infrastructure projects
Peter Black, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
peterblack@qctonline.com
Starting next month, many streets and alleys throughout the city will be construction sites as crews embark on a busy program of repairs and improvements to roadways and infrastructure.
City officials unveiled the 2025 infrastructure plan at a March 4 news conference at the municipal offices in Sainte-Foy. The $204.5-million budget for some 200 different projects is $4 million more than last year, but its allot- ment for preparatory work for the tramway is the lowest in five years.
The biggest chunk of the budget, about $136 million, is to go toward repairs and upgrades to existing infrastructure. A few examples include continued work on the redevelopment of Rue Saint-Vallier Ouest, Ave. D’Estimauville rain runoff drainage, anti-flooding installations on the Lorette River, and consolidation of aqueducts and sewers on Rue Bourget.
Tramway – officially TramCité – work this year has a budget of $10 million, compared to $30 million last year, $73 million in 2023 and $58 million in 2022.
Tramway preparation projects include the relocation of underground infrastructure on Boul. Laurier between Route de l’Église and Université Laval, completion of the RTC interconnection zone in Parc Victoria, redevelopment of the former gas station property at Boul. René-Lévesque and Ave. Belvédère, as well as other infrastructure work on this major stretch of the tramway route.
Work on the tramway is at a lull while the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec infrastructure division (CDPQ-Infra) , which is managing the project, finalizes plans for the full resumption of construction next year.
Expansion and improvement of the city’s network of bicycle paths will continue with seven projects involving 12.7 kilometres of trails. Two new paths will be added: on 3e Avenue between Boul. Henri-Bourassa and 79e Rue, and on Chemin de la Canardière/Boul. Sainte- Anne between 8e Avenue and Boul. François-de-Laval.
Other bike path work entails a complete upgrade of the stretch on 4e Avenue between 25e and 52e Rues, the redo of the curb along Côte de la Pente-Douce and the improve- ment of the intersection of Rue Marie-de-l’Incarnation at Boul. Charest.
The city also plans to try a pilot project on Chemin Sainte-Foy at Ave. Brown, where a bus stop platform will be tested that allows pedestrians to board an RTC bus without hindering cyclists us- ing the bike path. It’s a system already in use in Montreal and other cities.
Among other road work slated to get underway in the spring is the creation of 1,850 metres of new sidewalks, safety zones for 13 schools, traffic lights at six more intersections and installation of sound traffic signals at 21 intersections.
Public consultations will be held for some of the projects on the city’s books. The full list can be viewed on the city website.