The rehabilitation of the last section of the Gaspésie railway is starting to take shape with the launch, Friday, of a call for tenders targeting nine structures located between Port-Daniel-Gascons and Gaspé.
Prime Minister François Legault was in New Carlisle, where rehabilitation work is taking place on the second of three sections of the railway, to announce the launch of this call for tenders, which notably includes the repair of two bridges and the reconstruction complete with two other bridges.
This is the first of four calls for tenders for this last section which will affect a total of 17 bridges, two retaining walls, several culverts and the relocation of the railway line where erosion requires it.
The rehabilitation of the Gaspésie railway, requested for several years by the region, should be completed in 2026 and will have required investments estimated so far at $871 million.
For François Legault, this investment is directly related to the reduction of greenhouse gases. “In Quebec, they are still somewhat of the truck champions. A train emits, for the same tonnes of materials moved, 80% less GHG than trucks. »
The Prime Minister also spoke of new technologies to come, recalling the projects in Charlevoix “to possibly have locomotives, therefore trains, which are green hydrogen, therefore zero GHGs. The train is the future. »
The first section, between Matapédia and Caplan, is already in operation and the Caplan-Port-Daniel-Gascons link, where work is continuing, must be put into service next year.
The work is important since the railway line has long been abandoned. In some cases, it is the erosion of cliffs which requires work, sometimes the railway line must be moved and almost all of the structures require repair or reconstruction work.
And the further we advance, the more expensive it becomes. The first section of 118 kilometers between Matapedia and Caplan required a cost of $54.5 million, while the much shorter section of 65 kilometers between Caplan and Port-Daniel-Gascons required nearly $300 million. However, it is the last portion, which is also the longest at 139 kilometers, between Port-Daniel-Gascons and Gaspé, which will require the largest investments, a little over $517 million.
Quebec acquired the railway in 2015 while retaining the Société du chemin de fer de la Gaspésie as manager and operator.
For the moment, the railway line is intended for the transport of goods, but the Prime Minister said he is hopeful that, by the time the 322-kilometer section is fully operational in 2026, agreements can be concluded with Via Rail to ensure passenger service to Gaspé.
But he is keen on the 2026 deadline, because it fits into his political agenda. “It’s a commitment and it’s a commitment that Geneviève Guilbault, the Minister of Transport, also made. As you know, there is a general election in the fall of 2026, so we want this to be done before the election. »
Still in the field of transport, François Legault was also questioned about the abandonment of certain regional air services.
His response was unequivocal. There is no question of leaving a single region without air service. “I consider it an essential service to serve our regions by plane. »
Mr. Legault explained that the decision to abandon service with certain airlines was linked to the end of the support program put in place following the pandemic, but that other programs are coming.
“What we are currently trying to negotiate with different airlines is a three to five year agreement where we would give an annual subsidy in exchange for a service guarantee of a maximum of $500 round trip each day. »
“I want all regional airports to be served on a daily basis,” he asserted firmly, adding that Quebec was going to “put the money that is necessary because it is not always profitable for the airlines of do it “.