A few weeks after the Legault government suspended tram operations, the rector of the University of Laval spoke out and said she wanted to restart work “as quickly as possible.”
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In an interview published on the Laval University (UL) news site, Rector Sophie D’Amours reiterated her support for the tram project, which was put on hold by the Legault government. In fact, the CAQ has given the Caisse de dépôt etplacement du Québec Infra a six-month mandate to study the best-structured transportation project for Quebec.
One of the few universities without structured transport
“We hope that the work carried out on the tram will be very useful and that it can be resumed as soon as possible. Laval University is one, if not the only, university of its size in Canada that does not benefit from a structuring transportation network,” argues the rector.
Recall that in June 2022, the City of Quebec committed to paying the UL $10 million in compensation for the land provided to it. The UL wanted to use these amounts to expand the campus around the tram right of way.
The city confirms that the $10 million has not yet been paid out. This is one of the many takeover files that are pending and which the government has to decide on. The tram project office recommended continuing the process as it was already very advanced.
Ms. D’Amours was among a group of leaders from Quebec institutions and companies who joined the J’ai ma passe movement for the tram.
She points out that efficient public transport is very important for students and promotes the success and continuation of their studies. “It is important for the University of Laval to have this infrastructure in place as soon as possible and we intend to explain it to the new project leaders.”
Redesign of the campus
In an interview with the Journal, René Lacroix, vice-rector for infrastructure and transformation, reiterates that the tram was very important for the UL and that the institution still believes it was the right project.
“It was an opportunity to redesign, rethink the campus and our travel options, and review public transportation.” The planning of new buildings with a total investment of $285 million was also based on the tram in around 1,500 existing parking spaces.
These projects are not in question, he emphasizes, but the positioning of future projects could be reconsidered in the event of a complete shutdown of the tram. Mr. Lacroix believes that any new transport structuring project in Quebec must necessarily serve the UL, which is an important commercial hub. “We want it to run across campus to make it more accessible.”
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