By imposing “late on a major change to the route of the project” of the Quebec tramway, the government of François Legault has directly led to the increase in costs that it denounces itself, according to the outgoing mayor of Quebec, Régis Labeaume. In his last letter to the Prime Minister, he sharply criticizes the Caquista government’s transportation strategy in the nation’s capital.
The letter of ten pages signed by the one who was mayor for 14 years expresses “some concerns and thoughts concerning mobility in Quebec”. The outgoing elected member calls into question the way François Legault is doing about the two flagship transport projects in the national capital, the tramway and the Quebec-Lévis tunnel.
The anticipated bill for the first project would have recently exceeded 3.9 billion dollars. At the time, the Minister of Transport, François Bonnardel, was “surprised” by this increase. Nothing surprising, retorts Régis Labeaume.
“Contrary to what was expected, the worst scenario turned out: the government imposed, late in the day, a major change to the route of the project, he is indignant. As it stands, final contracts with suppliers will be signed with a delay of 18-24 months. “
“We have lost the favorable market window and costs are currently on the rise. Moreover, all public infrastructure projects are subject to and will suffer the same cost increases, ”he continues.
Régis Labeaume’s letter
The ten billion stake
In the context, the outgoing mayor questions the raison d’être and the costs of the third link. According to government estimates, the tunnel to Lévis could cost ten billion dollars.
“You were surely surprised, like the whole population, by the estimated costs of the project,” wrote Mr. Labeaume to his interlocutor for the past three years.
According to him, there are many alternatives. Quebec could, for example, add a traffic lane on the Pierre-Laporte bridge or launch “a major public transport project on the South Shore of Quebec,” he suggests.
“These solutions would correct the situation of road congestion for a long time, it seems to me, and this, for only part of the 10 billion dollars of investments planned for the tunnel”, adds the outgoing elected official.
Mr. Labeaume is disappointed that in parallel, the tram can only count on a closed envelope. In the context, he writes, we must question the validity of the tunnel.
“I would add that in terms of sustainable development, a change of direction in relation to the Quebec-Lévis tunnel project would give hope to the youth of Quebec and position themselves in harmony with their convictions,” he says. . In terms of social cohesion, there would only be advantages. “
François Legault did not want to comment on the content of the letter, Friday, not having read it. The government will undoubtedly respond to Mr. Labeaume, he promised.