Ottawa announces $1.1B for Quebec transit projects

Key Takeaways:

• The Canadian government is contributing an additional $1.1 billion to support the Quebec City tramway and Montréal Metro Blue line extension projects, bringing total federal funding to over $1.4 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively.
• These projects aim to enhance urban mobility, promote sustainable transportation, support economic development, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Quebec City and Montréal.
• The Quebec City tramway will feature a 19 km electric tram line with 29 stations, while the Blue line extension will add five new metro stations across six kilometers, with completion expected by 2031.

The Whole Story:

Ottawa has announced an additional federal contribution of more than $1.1 billion to help complete the Quebec City tramway and Montréal Metro Blue line extension projects. Officials stated that these investments in critical infrastructure are essential to help build the strongest economy in the G7.

These two major projects will improve mobility in Quebec City and the Montréal metropolitan area, promote sustainable mobility, support urban and economic development and consolidate the public transit network in these two major Quebec cities. They will also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and thus strengthen climate resilience.

“Our government believes in public transit,” said Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. “We are committed to improving and expanding public transit infrastructure across Canada. Close collaboration between federal, provincial and municipal governments is essential to achieving this goal.”

Quebec City Tramway (TramCité)

This project involves the construction of a 19 km 100% electric tramway line, including approximately 1.9 km underground. Work includes the universally accessible construction of 29 stations, five interchanges, two park-and-ride facilities, an operations and maintenance centre, two centralized control stations, a fleet of around 30 cars and related works, including the construction or modification of engineering structures, as well as landscaping and the installation of street furniture. The vehicles will be powered by a hybrid overhead contact line and batteries.

A federal contribution of over $1.1 billion had already been approved in July 2019. The Government of Canada is increasing its contribution to the project by $332.3 million for a total federal contribution of over $1.4 billion.

Montréal Metro Blue line extension

The project includes five new metro stations in a tunnel spanning some six kilometers, two bus terminals, an underground pedestrian tunnel, a mezzanine pedestrian link and various operational infrastructure elements. Commissioning of these metro stations is scheduled for 2031.

The federal government had initially committed to contribute more than $1.3 billion to the Blue line extension project. Last week, the federal government announced that it will increase its contribution to the project by more than $650 million to just over $1.9 billion.

In addition, the federal government is also announcing an investment of $202.8 million in the train control system project, which will replace the current fixed block train control system with a technology-based system for the entire Montréal Metro Blue line, including its extension.