The development of a reserved lane on Highway 15 between Boisbriand and Mirabel will cost $100.4 million more than expected, due to inflation and delays in awarding contracts, maintains the Ministry of Transport.
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The work, which extends over around fifteen kilometers on Highway 15, heading north, was expected to cost $191.7M. They will ultimately cost $292.1M, an increase of 52%.
Called to explain this budget increase of approximately $6.6 million per kilometer, the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility argued that inflation in the construction sector was “greater than expected” and that certain Work that was not initially envisaged was added to the project.
An aerial view of Highway 15.
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“The upward reassessment of risks linked to possible delays in awarding contracts and higher costs than what had been estimated for the portion south of Boulevard de la Seigneurie in Blainville” also played a role, according to Ministry spokesperson Sarah Bensadoun.
Call for tenders canceled
In fact, a call for tenders for a contract linked to this project was canceled last June. A few weeks later, the government updated the costs on the Infrastructure Project Dashboard, but not on the Department’s webpage.
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Remember that the lane reserved for buses and carpooling will be set up between Highway 640 and Highway 50, that is, between Boisbriand and Mirabel.
“This construction will improve traffic conditions, particularly during peak periods in the evenings and weekends,” underlined Mr.me Bensadoun.
On the 20 too
This phenomenon is also observed elsewhere on the road network. Quebec had planned an envelope of $154.8M to add a reserved lane on Highway 20 between Sainte-Julie and Beloeil, within the already existing right-of-way.
In September, an increase of $17.8M was approved for this project, bringing the total bill to $172.6M, for a 13 km section.
“This budget includes the cost of design, construction and work supervision, but also includes reserves for risks and contingencies and financial costs,” specified the Ministry.
As for the increase in costs, this is explained by “higher than expected inflation” and by the fact that the contracts that were awarded for construction and quality assurance exceeded the planned amounts. through the call for tenders.
Finally, the two reserved lane projects will be completed one year late, in 2026 for the 15 and in 2027 for the 20, due to the engineers’ strike, argued the Ministry.
