According to Radio-Canada on Tuesday morning, the original plan for the third connection between Quebec and Lévis is to be modified and presented later this summer. The project would continue to have two tunnels, but one of these would be a double deck for vehicles and the other would be used solely for public transport, while heavy haulage would eventually be banned.

By Xavier Nicole – info@journaldelevis.ca

“As I said before, and as said by Geneviève Guilbault (Quebec Transport Minister), we have had new transport studies carried out, including the impact of teleworking. In a few weeks, Geneviève Guilbault will make a proposal, but I won’t add anything at the moment,” Quebec Premier François Legault said on the sidelines of a conference held at the Chantier Davie in Lévis on Tuesday morning. .

In the possible new version of the project, one of the tunnels would be three meters high and divided into two floors, one for northbound travel and the other for southbound travel. The other tunnel, used only for public transport, possibly via a tram line, could increase chances of federal funding.

“We can’t wait to see the proposal and we will work together. We will continue to be open to funding whatever projects are available to us, particularly in relation to public transport,” said Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau.

According to Radio-Canada, the dangerous aspect related to the steep slope approaching Lévis would be the basis for the idea of ​​exempting the transport of heavy goods from the 3rd link. The Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité Durable has also explained, based on studies, that it would be better not to have several types of transport next to each other in the tubes. Trucks should then continue to cross the Pierre Laporte Bridge, which is currently the only way for heavy goods vehicles to cross between the two banks.

A positive vision for Gilles Lehouillier

The mayor of Lévis, Gilles Lehouillier, who argued in favor of the project that heavy trucks could use the 3rd link, is also very enthusiastic about the idea of ​​extending the tramway from Quebec to his city thanks to the Québec-Lévis tunnel .

“Once we have a tunnel, I don’t see why we couldn’t build a tram. I have often spoken of the idea of ​​a subway. When we have an underground tram, it looks like a subway! It’s interesting I think, it’s another step forward,” Gilles Lehouillier told Davie.

However, he would like heavy transport to be accommodated there.

“If trucks could pass there, it would take the pressure off the bridges and maybe achieve a certain fluidity that the Laporte Bridge has not been able to offer since 1989,” explains Gilles Lehouillier.

The mayor of Lévis also explained that the recent announcement of Chantier Davie’s integration into the National Shipbuilding Strategy (SNCN) is another argument in favor of the 3rd link.

“On an economic level, we will need this connection. We also did it in France, not far from Le Havre with the Tancarville Bridge and the Normandy Bridge, where at some point we needed this connection on an economic level,” Gilles Lehouillier cited as an example.