The costs of the renovation project of the Quebec infrastructure company has practically doubled since the launch of the project in 2021 from 23.7 to $ 46.1M.
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The government is renovating the offices of the Quebec Infrastructure Society (SQI) and the Ministry of International Relations and the Francophonie (MRIF) in the Hector-Fabre building, in Quebec, in order to save space.
When the project was launched in 2021, the work had to cost $ 23.7 million. Four years later, the costs have practically doubled because the plans were changed along the way. result, they now reach $ 46.1 million (+94.5%).
To save money, said Quebec
But Quebec ensures that it is for the best, because the redevelopment will allow the MRIF and the SQI to reduce “significantly” their occupation of space, and this, “despite the growth of the workforce”.
“Ultimately, this optimization will result in recurrent annual savings in terms of rent costs, since the area used by the two ministries will decrease by more than 50%,” wrote SQI spokesperson, Anne-Marie Gagnon, in an email sent to Journal.
The work to redevelop the offices of the Ministry of International Relations and the Francophonie and the Quebec infrastructure company cost much more expensive than expected.
Among the additional work that has been carried out and which explain the increase in costs, we note the replacement of cooled water pipes, the reconfiguration of electrical panels and lighting control and the repair of the slabs.
“In addition, work in common areas, such as the change in outcome doors, the addition of cameras, safety gates, a first aid room and the renovation of sanitary facilities on all floors, benefit all the occupants of the building,” saidme Gagnon.
Not an isolated case
As with the Hector-Fabre building, many infrastructure projects cost more due to changes or delays.
No later than this week, we learned that the work to expand highway 20 would stretch until 2031 and would cost $ 101 million, $ 21.1 million more than expected. The work began in 2021 and was initially to be completed in 2026 …
Likewise, the renovation of the Ministry of Finance Building in Old Quebec saw its invoice explode by $ 152 million last year, reaching $ 340 million, due to “unforeseen discoveries” having forced the resumption of plans and quotes.
– With the collaboration of Charles Mathieu and Yves Lévesque
