Courtesy
An artist’s rendering by Daniel Quirion shows the former railway bridge over the St. François River reimagined as a vibrant pedestrian and cycling link

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

A long-discussed plan to turn Sherbrooke’s former railway bridge over the St. François River into a linear park is gaining momentum, with local advocates pointing to recent government reports, municipal interest, and comparable successes elsewhere as reasons the project could finally move forward.

The citizen group Portail St-François (PSF) is pushing for the conversion of the disused rail line — stretching from the Marché de la Gare through Rue Alexandre and Rue Talbot to Fleurimont, and ultimately connecting Ascot Corner, East Angus, Disraeli and Coleraine — into a corridor for cycling, walking, running, and tourism. Supporters see the initiative as an economic, health, and mobility boost for the region.

From rail line to trail potential
Fabien Burnotte of PSF explained in an interview that the railway stopped operating around 20 years ago, and ownership of the infrastructure passed to Quebec’s Ministry of Transport. While many other abandoned rail corridors in the province have been converted to bike paths, Burnotte said that since 2019 the Ministry has applied a moratorium on such changes, opting to commission a report from a rail-focused company.

That report, released only after years of repeated access-to-information requests, concluded that the Quebec City–Thetford Mines section had commercial viability for freight service. The province has invested in that segment, with trains expected to return in the near future. But the stretch from Thetford Mines to Sherbrooke told a different story. “There is no actual economic potential for the train,” Burnotte said, noting that parts of the track had been destroyed by climate change and that repairing it would be too costly.

Initial versions of the report were heavily redacted. “The first time was like 99 per cent black [redacted],” Burnotte recalled. “After six years, we had a version… enough to see that there is no actual potential economic for the train.” This absence of commercial freight potential, he said, clears the way for serious consideration of active-transportation uses.

Momentum from other municipalities
Burnotte pointed to the example of Chambly, near Montreal, where an old rail line was successfully turned into a cycling path last year. “It’s possible if the city… makes the decision we want–to do something–and they have the approval of Ministry of Transportation,” he said.

Closer to home, Ascot Corner has secured roughly $500,000 to study and begin building a cycling path along and beside the old railway, extending to the Sherbrooke boundary. Engineering work is already underway. Ascot Corner Mayor Nathalie Bresse “really wants to create that access for bikes and walkers,” Burnotte said.

PSF believes that if neighbouring municipalities advance their sections, Sherbrooke’s involvement — including use of the former railway bridge — becomes essential for a continuous east-west route.

Political support lining up
The project has attracted backing from elected officials at multiple levels. Provincially, Sherbrooke MNA Christine Labrie “100 per cent supports the project,” Burnotte said, with her office actively involved. Federally, MP Élisabeth Brière has indicated she would support funding if the city formally requests the project, noting that Ottawa could contribute once a substantial plan with economic benefits is in place.

Within Sherbrooke’s municipal council, Burnotte cited the interest of councillors Geneviève La Roche (Ascot) and Laure Letarte-Lavoie (Fleurimont), both of whom are active in mobility issues. The MRC du Haut-Saint-François has also been engaged for more than a decade, conducting feasibility studies for its segment.

With municipal elections approaching in November, Burnotte said it is “time to… let the information get out” and secure commitments from candidates to make a formal request to the province.

Funding and benefits
According to Burnotte, Quebec’s Ministry of Transport has special funds that could cover up to 50 per cent of the costs for such a project, with additional federal contributions possible. He envisions economic benefits for businesses along Rue Alexandre, new tourism opportunities, and better links between Lac des Nations, the east bank of the St. François, and neighbouring municipalities.

“A link of mobility active, an attrait touristique majeur, nothing less in the dreams of the citizens,” the PSF press release stated.

Next steps
PSF has launched a new website, www.lepsf.ca, with information, sketches, drone images, and opportunities for public input. Burnotte said the group’s immediate goal is to keep the project in the public conversation, build consensus among municipal, provincial, and federal partners, and be ready to apply for funding as soon as Sherbrooke’s council gives the green light.

For Burnotte, the bridge project is part of a broader vision for cycling connections in the region. He noted that later this fall there will be discussions about extending bike paths from Sherbrooke to Lennoxville along Route 143, with connections planned to Wellington and Aberdeen streets. But he acknowledged that linking through Lennoxville has its own challenges, including concerns from some business owners.

Still, he sees the potential transformation of the disused railway bridge as a catalyst for the region. “I think it’s a very nice project for the whole region,” Burnotte said. “If we are going that way… we will have money, and we will have a nice, big, interesting project” that connects communities on both sides of the St. François.