The Government of Québec, the City of Québec and CDPQ Infra signed implementation agreements for TramCité de Québec project. These agreements define the roles and responsibilities of the parties, the governance of the project and the scope of the work. The government, as project owner, defines the project objective, the timelines and the budget. It entrusts CDPQ Infra with the project management of TramCité while the City of Québec is a partner and beneficiary of the project.
“Not only are we confirming that Quebec City will have its tramway, but also that this transport infrastructure will be paid for without impacting the City’s debt and in full respect of citizens’ ability to pay. This is an unprecedented financial package that we can deploy thanks to the major economic benefits generated by the tramway and wise management of our climate reserve by 2034,” the Mayor of Quebec City, Bruno Marchand, said.
The project comprises of the construction of a 19 km line with 29 stops connecting the sectors of Le Gendre, Sainte-Foy, Université Laval, Parliament Hill, Saint-Roch and Charlesbourg. The network will improve mobility while offering significant time savings to public transit users and will double the public transit offer on the busiest axis of the metropolitan community of Québec.
The signing of the agreement allows CDPQ Infra to set up a team dedicated to the project and to begin the technical studies and analyses required for its implementation. This will follow a co-development phase, aimed at establishing a target cost and schedule with the selected suppliers, which will be known at the end of the planning phase in 2027.
CDPQ Infra will define a rigorous procurement strategy to select suppliers for major contracts, particularly for civil engineering work and the supply of systems. CDPQ Infra will also undertake an information process with the communities starting in early 2025.
“This agreement demonstrates a concern for efficiency and collaboration with partners and marks an important step in the planning and implementation of the tramway project. The structuring network will enhance economic development and mobility in the Capitale-Nationale, and improve the quality of life of citizens,” Jonatan Julien, MNA for Charlesbourg, Minister responsible for Infrastructure and Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale.
The project is estimated at CAD 675 million (USD 474.2 million), of which the city’s financial contribution will cover 50% of the costs of the preparatory work and other activities under its responsibility. Its financing will be made possible by extending the City’s contribution to its climate reserve until 2034 and by reinvesting the tax benefits from real estate projects that will be carried out in the tramway’s area of influence during the same period.
In addition to providing Québec with a modern transport network, the project will stimulate the realisation of private projects in planning, totaling more than 15,000 housing units with an estimated value of CAD 3 to CAD 4 billion along the tramway route area. In addition, the creation of direct and indirect jobs related to the TramCité project is estimated at 4,000 for a period of at least five years.
The TramCité de Québec is part of Circuit intégré de transport express (CITÉ) Plan under which 100 km of public transit corridors will be created in three phases to deliver new efficient, fast and frequent transit service.
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