Despite warnings, CAQ moves forward with 3rd link project for Quebec City's 'economic security'

Premier François Legault is moving forward with the third link project for vehicles despite a warning from CDPQ Infra that another access point to Quebec City to from the South Shore wasn't justified in terms of gains in mobility. 

The subsidiary of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) — Quebec's pension fund manager — recommended a $15.5-billion public transit project and several major transport solutions for the Quebec City region on Wednesday.

Among the proposed projects included rapid bus service and a 35-kilometre tramway network. The report also recommends structuring public transport between Quebec City and Lévis, Que., "via the existing bridges," instead of adding a much-discussed third link for cars.

Reacting to the report in a press conference Thursday, Legault said he supports the transit projects in the provincial capital region and thanked CDPQ Infra for its work over the past six months.

He said the government will help the Caisse realize the first phase of the tramway project but said a third link project between Quebec City and Lévis for cars and trucks is still needed. 

Legault aware of 'loss in confidence' after back and forth 

In April 2023, the Quebec government scrapped plans to build a third link for vehicles between Quebec City and Lévis. The decision was made after Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault announced that the third link would be reserved for public transportation only and not be open to drivers.

Six months later, following the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ)'s defeat in the byelection in Quebec City's riding of Jean-Talon, Legault promised to consult and listen to citizens on the third link, suggesting that the project could possibly be revived.

"I am aware of this loss in confidence but we still have two-and-a-half years to show that we are serious in our engagement. So look at us go," said Legault on Thursday. 

Important to plan for the future, says premier

The government is defending the third link for cars and trucks as a need for economic security, saying the Pierre-Laporte Bridge can't remain the only option for the transportation of commodities in the region.  

"As premier, the question I have to ask with my colleagues is can we live with this economic risk?" said Legault. 

"For economic security reasons, our government is engaged to plan and build a new road for cars between Quebec and Levis." 

With 10,500 trucks passing over the bridge every day, Legault says they want to get ahead of the problem considering the bridge is 54 years old.

While he acknowledged disagreements between people who prefer the third link project for cars and those who prefer a tramway, he said there is "room for both." 

"It's not a black and white decision. There are arguments for and arguments against," said Legault.

"I think that when you look at the file and take a step back even looking at the inconveniences, we are better off having this new road." 

Guilbault said Thursday that if the Pierre-Laporte Bridge ever had to close it would be "catastrophic" for the local economy. 

"We cannot keep pushing back and back and back major infrastructure projects over years because we will find ourselves pressured in public security situations," said Guilbault.

"We have no choice but to take the responsible decision."

Legault says he has big ambitions for the region and that the third link for cars is necessary, in addition to the tramway. 

A question of trust

Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said despite turning to the Caisse six months ago, the CAQ still chose not to heed the warnings made in its report regarding the third link for cars. 

"No one in Quebec has confidence in them when it comes to fundamental questions like the planning of our transit system," said Plamondon.

"We have reason.… The CAQ is in such a dangerous state of improvisation."

Étienne Grandmont, Québec Solidaire critic for transport and sustainable mobility, says it's "ridiculous" to see the CAQ promote the third link for cars.

"One day they're in favour of the third link, the day after they kill the project," said Grandmont. "There is a question of trust for sure."

Although Grandmont is happy the premier is in favour of the tramway, he says he will ask the government to be more proactive and to start the project as soon as possible. 

Poilievre says he supports 3rd link for cars

On Thursday, federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that as prime minister he wouldn't invest a cent in the tramway project, saying Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government and the Bloc Québécois are "obsessed with a war on cars and are ignoring people in the suburbs and the regions."

He says he will continue to respect Quebec motorists by supporting a third link for cars.

Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand fired back. He sees a tramway not as a war on cars, but rather as a way of reducing traffic. 

He also accused Conservative leaders of taking the region "back 70 years" with such statements. 

"Beautiful vision for the country. Right now, we're going to work with those who are there. We're going to work very quickly and very well," said Marchand.