According to the CDPQ Infra proposal, the tram project would ultimately take 3rd Avenue, thus reviving the questions of recent years regarding the establishment of the network in Vieux-Limoilou.
By Estelle Lévêque
After several months of waiting, the City of Quebec finally received the report from CDPQ Infra regarding structuring transportation. This offers a tram, two SRB (rapid bus service) lines, reserved bus lanes and an inter-river tunnel dedicated to public transport. The deployment of the tram, in three phases, is intended to be the backbone of the transport network.
3rd Avenue back in the equation
The Limoilou district, the central point of the axis linking Lebourgneuf to Charlesbourg then to Parliamentary Hill, is affected by the three phases of the project. Indeed, the CDPQ-Infra report proposes the passage of the tram on 3rd Avenue. Remember that before the project was put on hold by the Quebec government, the plans were for the installation of the tramway at 4th Avenue.
Raymond Poirier, president of the Vieux-Limoilou neighborhood council, recalls that the choice of 3rd or 4th Avenue was the subject of heated discussions in the past. “The advantages and disadvantages, at the heart of the discussion a few years ago, remain true,” he comments. In fact, the neighborhood council had contributed to the analyzes carried out by the City to document the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the project on each of the arteries.
Among the points discussed, the hypothesis of 3rd Avenue would notably make it possible to create a friendly artery, whether shared or pedestrian. Also, support the development of a consumer offering different from that of shopping centers or reduce the noise and visual pollution associated with automobile traffic.
On the other hand, the passage of the tram on 4th Avenue would reduce the speed and amplitude of traffic on a residential artery, green the area and reduce the disruption caused to businesses on 3rd Avenue.
Informed decisions
Whether the network is established on one or other of the avenues of Vieux-Limoilou, Mr. Poirier recalls that the CDPQ, like the City of Quebec, will have to solicit the neighborhood council and citizens in its implementation. He also hopes for rapid responses to the issues and impacts that will flow from it.
However, even if this questioning recalls debates initiated in the past, and documented since, the president of the neighborhood council recalls that, on certain points, the situation has changed.
“Significant sums have been invested, work has had an impact on the quality of life [des résidents]. During the implementation of phase 2 in Vieux-Limoilou, we understand that the reflection will be [menée à la lumière] of the past debate but also of the initiatives, work, and money invested in recent years. »
Raymond Poirier, president of the Vieux-Limoilou neighborhood council.
Don’t waste any more time
Following the unveiling of the CDPQ project, 11 neighborhood councils joined their voices to urge the Quebec government not to waste any more time.
“The neighborhood councils hope to work quickly with the project office and contribute to discussions on the development of the spaces along the routes. We hope that each neighborhood crossed by the different modes of public transport can benefit from them with development decisions that will be taken or adapted according to our recommendations. »
Bertrand Gemme, president of the Saint-Sacrement neighborhood council.
In the eyes of the spokespersons of the Cité-Universitaire, Duberger-Les Saules, Maizerets, Montcalm, Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Saint-Louis, Saint-Sacrement, Saint-Sauveur, Vanier, Vieux-Bourg and Vieux-Limoilou districts , this project is “as ambitious as it is necessary”.
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