(Quebec) The cost of the Quebec tramway project has almost tripled to reach $10.8 billion, according to a recent estimate obtained from a reliable source. Signals suggest that the two consortia vying to carry out the project could withdraw.
The mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand, will hold a press conference this Wednesday, at 9:30 a.m., to provide an update on the project. This is not trivial: he does it the day before the deadline for submitting bids for the construction of tram infrastructure. Such an exit suggests that neither of the two consortia – Mobilité de la Capitale and ModerniCité – will make a proposal.
We have known for a long time that the project will cost more than the 4 billion dollars announced so far – it was even 3.3 billion in 2018.
However, an estimate dating back two weeks puts the bill at 10.8 billion. The Quebec Journal said on Tuesday that it would now amount to “between 12 and 13 billion”.
Bruno Marchand has already mentioned a plan B to reduce costs. The City would become project manager of the site and would split the project into lots carried out by different firms.
“Heavy means of transport”
On Monday, Prime Minister François Legault issued a warning: “One, it takes a reasonable cost. Two, the project may need to be adjusted so that it better meets the needs of the population. » “But all that, at the moment, is in the hands of Bruno Marchand,” he added.
Without uttering the word tramway, he argued that “a city the size of Quebec should have a heavy means of transport” – a means of collective transport, that is.
The Legault government has the last word, in a way, since the City must have the approval of the Council of Ministers to move forward with its project. Quebec and Ottawa are the main donors.
The current project plans a 19 kilometer route, including a 1.8 km tunnel to connect the Upper Town and Lower Town. It includes 29 stations.
French multinational Alstom, which bought Bombardier Transports, was awarded the contract to manufacture the rolling stock earlier this year – it was the only bidder. The contract provides for the construction of 34 trains at a cost of 569 million – the estimate was 400 million initially – provided that the project is carried out, of course.