The “Réseau Express de la Capitale,” once a prominent transportation initiative in Quebec City, has largely faded from discussion. Initially unveiled with ambitious plans and over $10 billion in projected investments, the project’s official website has been taken down, and the name is no longer used in communications. While related projects like the third link and TramCité continue, uncertainties remain regarding budget updates and timelines for enhancing suburban connectivity and tramway accessibility.
Decline of the Réseau Express de la Capitale
First unveiled with much excitement four years ago, the “Réseau express de la Capitale” has now faded into obscurity, according to reports. This initiative, introduced by the CAQ to highlight its vision for regional transportation in the Quebec City area, is no longer part of the current transportation dialogue.
In May 2021, our Parliamentary Office had the exclusive scoop on the Legault government’s transportation strategy, which included plans for a tramway in Quebec City, an underwater tunnel, and dedicated lanes on both sides of the river. This ambitious project was branded as “Réseau express de la Capitale,” with projections estimating investments to exceed $10 billion. Prime Minister François Legault made this announcement during a high-profile press event featuring key ministers and local mayors.
Current Status of the Project
In recent weeks, the official website for the REC, modeled after Montreal’s REM, has been taken offline. Nicolas Vigneault, spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation and Sustainable Mobility, confirmed that the name “Réseau Express de la Capitale” is no longer in use for any official communications.
Last fall, a notice was added to the REC homepage, stating that the site would no longer receive updates following the release of a report by CDPQ Infra regarding mobility in the greater Quebec City region. Users attempting to visit the rec.quebec site are now redirected to the Ministry of Transportation’s page.
Despite the discontinuation of the REC name, projects in the Quebec City area, including the third link, TramCité, and reserved lanes, are still progressing. The third link project, which faced initial abandonment due to its high costs, has been revived after the CAQ’s recent electoral shifts. François Legault has now committed to constructing a bridge to facilitate truck crossings between Quebec City and Lévis, with updates expected soon from Minister Geneviève Guilbault.
The TramCité initiative is currently under the oversight of CDPQ Infra, while the public transport scheme on Boulevard Guillaume-Couture is being managed by the City of Lévis. Originally, the REC also proposed a significant investment of $844 million to create a network of reserved lanes and incentive parking to enhance accessibility not just on major highways but also on local roads.
However, it remains unclear whether budget estimates have been revised or if any timelines for implementing the reserved lanes have been established, which were intended to improve suburban connectivity and promote tramway use.