Boulevard René-Lévesque: Three shots at the table inserting the tramway

Is it a shared street, one way or two lanes of automobile traffic? These are three footage released yesterday by the project office for inserting a tramway at Boulevard René-Lévesque in the Montcalm field. Protecting trees and transportation issues are at the center of the debate.

Read more: Tramway: René-Lévesque’s fate has not been decided, Savard says

Read more: Quebec City steps on accelerator: 14 first announcements for tramway

Daniel Genest, director of the project office, presented the pros and cons of each of the three “variations” yesterday afternoon, with the costs being comparable. He stressed that his goal is to find a balance between the many elements of tree conservation, transportation and built heritage. He also stressed that the outcome of the November 7 election should be decided by the future municipal administration.

Mr. Genest Tram describes three scenes for insertion (see details below). “In the April contract draft, it is clear that much effort was put into Variation 1 (Shared Street), but we offer a way to consider Variation 2 or 3,” he said.

1584 Trees uprooted

The project office has also updated on the most important issue of trees. Across the tram’s 19.3km route, it is now estimated that 1,584 people will be massacred, a hundred less than the 1,701 discussed so far.

For the area of ​​Rene-Lewesk Boulevard, located between Myrand and Turnbull alone, 208 people will be convicted. However, in this number, another (27, 34 or 74) must be added depending on the insertion variant selected. In return, the project office promises that more or less 3,500 trees will be planted to make up for these losses.

Extra delay on the metro?

Recalling that the tram should be delivered in 2028, Mr. Genest also said it was “impossible” to meet this deadline if suddenly another mode of transportation came to the table. According to him, the minimum completion time is 10 to 11 years, i.e. 2031 or 2032. Establishing a new project office will require “four to five years” to resume the environmental process and generate new calls for proposals. . He thinks this job will take six years.

Of the five leading candidates for Quebec’s mayor, four are either in favor or on the tramway, while only Quebec 21 leader Jean-Fran்கois Kozelin is campaigning for the Light Metro by the same time. Than the tram.

Version 1

In René-Lévesque Boulevard, between Turnbull and des Érables are shared lanes where automobile space is limited. This is the scene that cuts down the fewest trees in this corner (27 in total). Land acquisition is said to be low. Ambient noise levels will be reduced. On the other hand, we expect a good portion of traffic flow to change, especially in the Grande Allee.

Variation 2

A single lane of eastbound traffic will be placed in this area of ​​the Rene-Lewesk Boulevard. More trees will be cut down (34), but the impact of traffic exchange will be relatively less than the first hypothesis.

Variation 3

Only one lane will be placed in each direction. The show has seemed a bit unfocused in recent episodes, however;

What was said

• “For us, it’s going to be Scene 4. No tram (…) Mr. Genest commented (about the deadline for another mode of transport). If he had read any other option than the tramway, I would love to see the study,” said Jean-, President of Quebec21. Franோois Kozellin.
• “The work continues to achieve the best coordination of the tram in particular and to protect as many trees as possible along the route,” Mary-Josie Schwart, head of Team Saward, said via Twitter.
• “I have a prejudice against Scene 1, so it’s a shared path to reduce felling of trees and minimize the impact on buildings and citizens. But we need to consult with citizens,” said Bruno Marchant, Quebec’s strong and proud leader.
• “I have a positive opinion about reducing automobile traffic. When it comes to the city center, it’s going to be the tram. This is the preferred mode, “said Jean Rousseau, president of Democratic Quebec.
• “The first variant that saves most trees is very interesting to us. We need to get out of automobile addiction completely,” said Jackie Smith, president of Transition Quebec.