During his last day in office, Quebec City mayor urges government to reconsider divisive tunnel project
In his final act as mayor, Quebec City's Régis Labeaume made a plea with the premier: don't go through with the "third link" tunnel project.
Labeaume, who stepped down from his 14-year seat earlier this week, posted a lengthy letter to his Facebook page Thursday containing "concerns and thoughts regarding mobility in Quebec City."
In May, the CAQ government announced it would construct a minimum $7 billion tunnel under the St. Lawrence river, connecting Quebec City and its South Shore.
But Labeaume argues that the tunnel won't reduce traffic on the existing connectors between these two territories -- the Pierre Laporte Bridge and the Quebec Bridge. In his view, the "mobility habits" of the population simply don't justify such a major undertaking.
The entrances and exits of the third link are located on the eastern side of both territories. However, according to a 2019 survey from Quebec's transport ministry, "three-quarters of the vehicles that leave the South Shore come from the west of this territory to go to Quebec City and vice versa for the return trip," Labeaume writes.
"It is also recognized that most of the residential development on the South Shore is taking place in the western part of the territory," he adds.
Instead of constructing the tunnel, Labeaume proposes that a new lane be added to the Pierre Laporte Bridge in the direction of morning and evening traffic, "as is done on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco or on the Louis Bisson Bridge in Laval."
To improve traffic flow, he also recommends modifying entry and exit lanes at either end of the bridges, and recommends improving public transit in the South Shore to reduce congestion overall.
"Together, these solutions would correct the traffic congestion situation for a long time to come, I believe, for only a portion of the $10 billion investment planned for the tunnel."
Legault has yet to comment on the contents of Labeaume's letter.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.