Halts Tramway Construction Urged by Hamad to Marchand Instantly
In the heart of Quebec City, a significant infrastructure project is underway, with the aim of modernizing the city's underground infrastructure. This modernization, spearheaded by the Quebec government, is not solely dependent on the construction of the city's much-anticipated tramway.
The tramway project, valued at $7.6 billion and scheduled to begin operation in 2033, has been entrusted to CDPQ Infra. The project was first proposed in 2018 by former Mayor Régis Labeaume and has since been taken up by current Mayor Bruno Marchand.
Recently, Sam Hamad, the leader of the Leadership Quebec party, has vocalized his opposition to the tramway project, asking Mayor Marchand to halt its construction. Hamad, who came close in the last election with a significant portion of the vote, lost to Marchand, who secured 32% compared to Marie-Josée Savard's 31%.
Despite the election results, Hamad argues that they do not hold much weight in the current election. He has promised to abandon the tramway project if he wins against Bruno Marchand in the November 2nd election. Hamad also proposes implementing a rapid bus service (RBS), although the details of this proposal have not yet been presented to the public.
However, an authority in office could potentially face legal consequences if they decide to stop the work on the tramway project. Such a decision could lead to potential lawsuits and potential losses in court.
Mayor Marchand, on the other hand, has stated that he will honor the contract with the Quebec government and CDPQ Infra regarding the tramway project. He emphasizes that abandoning the project would result in significant penalties for the city.
Moreover, Marchand has highlighted the economic benefits of the tramway, stating that it will inject $12 billion in public and private funds into the capital's economy. He has also rejected the idea of pausing the construction of the tramway project.
As the November 2nd election approaches, the issue of the tramway project continues to be a hot topic in Quebec City. Hamad has stated during a press conference that "On November 2nd, Quebec City citizens will have their first chance to voice their opinion."
Meanwhile, preparatory work for the tramway project is progressing as scheduled, with CDPQ and its companies making steady progress. The task of overseeing the construction of the streetcar (light rail) system until its completion typically falls to a Systems Assurance Manager or Project Manager with expertise in managing large-scale infrastructure projects, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, ensuring quality, safety, and contract compliance, and managing schedules and budgets.
As the city moves forward with this significant infrastructure project, the future of the tramway remains uncertain, with the election results set to determine its fate.
