We are told that this is the inflationary reality. Even if the amount is “high”, it is an understatement, the Minister of Transport Geneviève Guilbault presented this amount almost as an inevitability.
I know about bridge costs as much as I can play the harp on a bicycle, which is to say not at all.
But it was rather surprising on Tuesday to see the eagerness with which the minister gave her approval to this project at a cost which “may raise questions”.
The 2.7 billion bridge for 7,000 people and some 12,000 vehicles per day is “vital” for safety, the minister said. There is no question here of messing with security, and I agree 100%.
But is this project really the best? Have all options been analyzed?
The minister responsible for the Quebec region Jonatan Julien spoke of an “inspiring” project for the national capital. “It’s a big project and it’s true that it’s expensive.”
We cannot help but note the contrast between the commitment to the island bridge and that to a structuring transport project.
The selected project is a cable-stayed bridge. (Ministry of transportation)
“It can’t be the only project in the region”
We must hope that this “inspiring” project will not be so much so as to become the Legault government’s main card for the region, at a time when it is being increasingly criticized for not having major projects for the capital.
This fear circulated in the corridors of city hall on Tuesday, council day.
“It cannot be the only project in the region,” said Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand. We are not going to be satisfied with that by saying that it is the government’s project for the City. That would be completely insufficient.”
The mayor is right.
For once, the leader of the opposition Claude Villeneuve agreed with him. An island bridge must not undermine the portfolio dedicated to public transportation in Quebec.
“In general, this government invests enormously more in the road network than in public transportation,” noted Mr. Villeneuve in passing.
The mayor says he trusts the government for a transport project, tramway or other. Once again (we’re starting to ramble on about it!) let’s wait for the famous conclusions of the CDPQ Infra.
But a hesitation would say a lot about the desire to really act for mobility in the capital.
“If we wait, we will, unfortunately, just pay more,” concluded Mr. Marchand. We have to stop waiting.”
And if there is a lesson to be learned from the exponential amount of the Île d’Orléans bridge, it is this: everything that lies around collects dust. And the billions.
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