On April 20, Quebec Deputy Prime Minister Geneviève Guilbault buried the third highway link between Quebec and Lévis.
We are now waiting for the new version of a connection between the two banks, but for public transport.
The problem for Ms. Guilbault is that the people of Quebec don’t want to know about this new project, just like they don’t want to know about the tram.
Apparently Quebec’s transportation problems go in circles.
solvency
Earlier this week, Quebec’s mayor sent a chill over streetcar stocks by announcing a deadline for bid submissions.
Apparently the tram will cost more than expected. Unfortunately we don’t know the numbers. Several rumors but nothing official yet.
This is undoubtedly normal in the context of tenders. However, the lack of transparency significantly undermines public opinion towards the project.
Quebec regions’ support for trams is probably the most important issue right now.
Régis Labeaume and his successor Bruno Marchand failed to convince the population of the advantages of this megaproject.
Mr. Marchand said during the 2021 campaign that he would change the project once he was elected. He quickly confirmed that the file continued without changes.
The mayor of Quebec will soon have to admit that he has failed. The CAQ is still behind him for now. On the other hand, we have a strong feeling that solvency will soon come back to the fore.
What can we do now?
Several observers of the municipal scene point out that Quebec is the only Canadian city with a population of more than 500,000 without a tram or structured public transport.
But the real question is whether the tram is the right means of transport.
It is clear that our elected officials need to go back to the drawing board. We delete and start over!
