The first phase of the tram project recommended by CDPQ Infra would cost $7 billion to complete. But it also proposes a much larger long-term plan including a Quebec-Lévis tunnel dedicated to public transport, for a total of 15.4 billion.
For 7 billion dollars, CDPQ Infra believes that it is possible to create not only a central corridor leading to Charlesbourg (5.2 billion), but also an antenna towards D’Estimauville (620 million) and an antenna towards Lebourgneuf ( 1.1 billion).
The sum of 7 billion also includes “a contingency of 30%” in “the costs of major contracts”.
The long-term $15.4 billion project includes the addition of rapid bus service (SRB) lines on both shores, new dedicated lanes and, finally, a Quebec-Lévis tunnel dedicated to public transport of 7 kilometers, the costs of which are estimated at 3.8 billion.
This plan was called “Integrated express transport circuit (CITÉ)”.
However, certain conditions should be met to justify the addition of the tunnel for public transport, indicates CDPQ Infra, namely the demographic growth of Lévis and “the increased densification of the territory in the Desjardins pole sector”.
Five minutes saved with the third link
Concerning the third motorway link, the Caisse studied six different corridors, between Île d’Orléans and the west of the bridges. She retained two corridors more favorable than the others. The first connects the two city centers, and the second is located to the east, between the city center to city center corridor and that of Île d’Orléans.
The first corridor, she estimates, would reduce flow on current bridges by 15% and an average reduction in travel time of 5 minutes. The conclusions are similar for the second, we can read in the report.
Based on these analyses, CDPQ Infra concludes “that one more inter-river road link cannot be justified from a mobility point of view, and CDPQ Infra therefore does not recommend its creation”.
Measures for trees
The CDPQ proposal also addresses a big irritant: the repercussions of the project on trees. With smaller tram cars, she believes she can reduce the size of stations along the route and therefore preserve more trees.
A new “enfilade” station model would, for example, reduce the number of trees felled or transplanted at the St-Charles-Garnier Station from 32 to 6.
More details will follow.