Due to a significant deficit, the Legault government has drastically reduced its infrastructure initiatives, leading to the indefinite delay of numerous key projects across Quebec. Cancellations include reserved public transport lanes in Quebec City and several crucial public transport developments in Montreal, while safety improvements will be prioritized for ten other projects. Although some ongoing works will continue, many remain unfunded, with hopes for future financing after 2030. Accountability concerns have arisen following these budget cuts.
In light of an unprecedented deficit, the Legault government has significantly scaled back its infrastructure plans, resulting in the indefinite postponement of several high-priority projects. This decision has led to a series of abandoned initiatives, postponed deadlines, and budget reallocations across the province.
Key Projects Put on Hold
Recent reports have highlighted the cancellation of reserved lanes for public transport in Quebec City, a decision that merely scratches the surface of broader infrastructure challenges. The Quebec Ministry of Transport (MTQ) is now reevaluating its infrastructure priorities amidst ongoing trade tensions with the United States, prompting a comprehensive revision of the Quebec Infrastructure Plan (PQI).
Similar to the situation in Quebec City, Montreal will also see crucial public transport corridors abandoned along its major highway routes. A total of ten projects have been withdrawn, including key initiatives for structuring public transport in Montreal-West and Laval, as well as the redevelopment of Charles-Le Moyne Square in Longueuil.
While the first phase of development work at the Pierre-Laporte and Quebec bridges will be completed, phase two, which included vital interchange reconstructions, has been scrapped. MTQ spokesperson Sarah Bensadoun acknowledged the need for a reevaluation of investment priorities, stressing the importance of aligning with taxpayers’ financial capabilities.
Budget Constraints and Future Prospects
The MTQ’s latest decisions will have widespread implications across Quebec. For ten additional significant projects, the focus will shift to safety enhancements, such as adding passing lanes or guardrails, particularly on the perilous Route 138 on the North Shore. Engineering firms associated with these projects were informed of the changes just hours ago.
Despite the withdrawals, Bensadoun noted that all analyses and studies conducted will be preserved for potential future use should the projects re-enter the PQI when funding becomes available.
Furthermore, crucial projects like the redevelopment of Highway 50 between L’Ange-Gardien and Mirabel have been divided to allow ongoing work on certain sections, yet ten important initiatives remain unfunded in the PQI. This includes the bridge project linking Tadoussac to Baie-Sainte-Catherine and the proposed extension of Highway 20 towards Rimouski. The government anticipates that funding may become available post-2030, with plans to resume activities as soon as the economic climate permits.
During the recent budget presentation, Infrastructure Minister Jonatan Julien emphasized record investments totaling $19 billion aimed at ensuring productivity, competitiveness, and resilience across all regions of Quebec. However, following the recent abandonment of the reserved lanes in Quebec City, Liberal member Monsef Derraji has called for accountability, suggesting that the minister’s position may be at risk.
Major Projects Affected by Budget Cuts
Here are some of the major projects that have been withdrawn from the Quebec Infrastructure Plan:
- Reserved lane networks in Quebec and Montreal
- Enhancement of the Greater Southwest Montreal project
- Improvement of the structuring public transport project in Laval (Saint-Martin Boulevard axis)
- Electrification of the STM transport center
- Phase two of the redevelopment of the Quebec and Pierre-Laporte bridges
- Improvement of access to the Port of Montreal (phase two)
Additionally, several projects currently lack the necessary funds for execution, including:
- Bridge between Tadoussac and Baie-Sainte-Catherine
- Extension of Highway 20
- Highway 13 (Chomedey)
- Structuring public transport projects (Taschereau Boulevard axes)
- Extension of the yellow line of the metro network
- Widening of Highway 30 between Brossard and Boucherville
Moreover, several projects have been postponed, including:
- Construction of Highway 19 between Laval and Bois-des-Filion
- Widening and redevelopment of Highway 55 between Bécancour and Sainte-Eulalie
- Completion of Highway 70 between Grande-Anse and La Baie