The backbone of Quebec’s future structuring network will not be buses, argued Mayor Marchand, reporting comments from Prime Minister Legault.
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It would be either a subway or a tram, Quebec’s mayor suggested Thursday morning, a day after the government refused to implement its Plan B, under which the $8.4 billion city would be the prime contractor for a tram would be.
Unless there is a new turnaround, the Rapid Bus Service (SRB) option cannot be the backbone, as Mr Marchand understood from his discussions.
On Wednesday, the government commissioned the Caisse de dépôt etplacement du Québec to identify the best project for the city and the Quebec region.
Mr. Marchand assured that he intends to collaborate in this reflection and identified five “keys to success” for a future project: that the structuring network forms a vision for the entire region, that it must be implemented quickly and that it allows the development of new projects includes neighborhoods, that the city’s autonomy in the development and development of its territory is respected and that contracts are accessible to Quebec businesses.
The ball is in the government’s court
“The government had to be convinced that this was the right way, the right way, in the right places, which they hope will mobilize people,” Mr Marchand explained.
The mayor made it very clear on Thursday: he had “given the ball to the government” and it was now the CAQ’s turn to play.
Mr. Marchand had very few answers to offer on Thursday on several ongoing issues. He pointed out that we are sight sailing at the moment. What to do with the current expropriation process? What does the future of the project office look like? What happens to tram tenders? What will happen to the $569 million contract awarded to giant Alstom to build the tram trains?
He met with employees of the tram project office and their manager Daniel Genest on Thursday morning. It was a “sad” moment. The mayor emphasized that they were all very competent experts who believed in the project and still believe in it.
A total of $527 million has been spent on the project or is in the process of being disbursed. An additional approximately $370 million was allocated to this project and this spending was made through various tenders.
On Thursday morning, the telephone at Quebec City’s utility office “almost exploded,” the mayor said, as many project suppliers pondered the future of their sites and services.
No resignation
One thing is certain: Bruno Marchand swears he has no intention of resigning. Not only will he finish his term, but he has even hinted that there could be a sequel.
“There will be an after. Don’t prepare the funeral too quickly,” he said, reiterating that he was giving himself “a few weeks” to think about it.
Quebec’s mayor reiterated that he was “very disappointed” with the government’s decision to end its Plan B.
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