Monty Mendel: The opposition fears the collapse of the project

The official opposition fears that the Mandal Street expansion project will fail if the tram does not see the light in the IKEA area. Mayor Marchand did not want to comment on the issue Tuesday.

• Read also: Tramway: A large forested area and wetlands were destroyed in the Chaudière sector

• Read also: Saint-Foy: Traffic at the heart of questions about the tram

The issue of streetcars came up several times during budget consideration at City Hall, but since the Legault government’s pause must last until mid-2024, some questions found an answer Wednesday. The official opposition asked officials whether the planned extension of Mendel Street in the IKEA area would proceed with or without the tram.

This infrastructure aims to widen Avenue Mendel, between Boulevard de la Chaudière and Boulevard du Versant-Nord, with the construction of a flyover.

Mayor Bruno Marchand was the one who addressed the question, which was of a “political” nature, according to him.

“We will see what the government’s proposal is, what kind of transport structure there will be, and then we can decide what will happen.”

“Breach of contract.”

For the opposition leader, this project must be implemented no matter what happens. He is afraid that he will fall by the wayside without a tram. “What I understand from the mayor’s response is that this will not happen if the tram is not built. We do not agree. This is what citizens expect. […] I think it’s a breach of contract with the Strip’s citizens if that doesn’t happen.

Conversely, Limoilo City Councilor Jackie Smith believes the road link should never see the light of day. “I hope it doesn’t happen if the streetcar doesn’t happen.”

Opposition parties continued to demand the presence of the director of the tram project office, Daniel Genest, in public committees. For Quebec First, Équipe Priorité Québec and Transition Québec, this will be an opportunity to get more details on the impact of the tram pause, but also on the amounts committed so far.