(Quebec) Even if he anticipates staggering costs, Éric Duhaime shows an openness to the third CAQ link, which provides for the construction of a highway bridge in the east of Quebec and Lévis. The conservative leader criticizes the new tram project and calls for a referendum.
“I am happy to see that the government is not following the recommendation of the Caisse de dépôt and is resurrecting or digging up the third link project to the East,” responded Mr. Duhaime at a press conference on Friday in Quebec. “I’m glad they’re also abandoning the idea of a tunnel, I’m glad they’re abandoning the city center to city center route,” he added.
However, the Conservative leader wants to know the timeline and especially the cost before giving his blessing to the Legault government. “We’re going to give the runner a chance, they had the report and 24 hours to react, but in the coming weeks, we’re going to have to have a lot of details,” he said.
On Monday, the Conservative Party of Quebec presented its model of a third highway link between the two banks of the river, which would pass through Île d’Orléans.
The formation proposes a new bridge between the island of Orléans and the South Shore of Quebec, which would pass in particular via the Prévost road to join the new island bridge towards the North Shore. Prévost Road, lined with several residences and having two lanes, would therefore accommodate thousands of new cars per day and heavy trucks.
The PCQ estimates its project at $2 billion, would have a capacity of 24,000 vehicles per day.
“We are breaking nails like never before in our history,” pleaded Mr. Duhaime. This is why he explained that he had presented a “more modest” version of his third link project. In this sense, he fears that the CAQ project will come with too high a bill.
He also used the economic argument to once again oppose the tram project. The Conservative leader reiterated his request to hold a referendum so that the metropolitan community of Quebec can vote on the “most important financial project in the city’s history.”
“If the government actually wishes to move forward with this project, it will at least require social acceptability. This project has no democratic legitimacy,” argued Mr. Duhaime.
This week, CDPQ Infra proposed the CITÉ (Integrated Express Transportation Circuit) plan, which provides for investments of $15 billion, including $7 billion for the tramway. The Legault government committed Thursday to carrying out the first phase of the project, which should link Le Gendre to Charlesbourg via Sainte-Foy, Old Quebec, Saint-Roch and Limoilou.
The CITÉ plan provides for the addition of a rapid bus service (SRB) network and even a tunnel for the tramway between Quebec and Lévis. François Legault showed little interest Thursday in this latest proposal.
The green light from the Legault government for the tram project will revive dissidence within the caucus of CAQ elected officials from the greater Quebec region, believes the conservative leader.
“I always continue to have my heart and arms open to welcome MPs within the Conservative Party of Quebec. I can tell you, and you know it better than me, there are many CAQ MPs who have been great opponents of the tramway in Quebec. Today […], I am convinced that there are many who are uncomfortable,” he said.
“I’m always on the phone, this summer I’m going to tour the regions and I’m sure I’m going to take the opportunity to meet some of them,” added Mr. Duhaime.
