The decision by Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault and the Legault government to drop the project for a third highway link between Lévis and Québec naturally disappointed many interested parties in Bellechasse.

By Serge Lamontagne – Special collaboration La Voix du Sud

The minister confirmed at a press conference last Thursday that, given the data for 2022 showing a significant decrease in bridge traffic and a change in people’s habits due to the pandemic, especially given the increasing use of teleworking, nothing justifies the development of a third motorway link , the latter adding that a future 3rd link would be dedicated exclusively to public transport.

Invited to comment on this important change of direction, breaking a campaign promise CAQ members have held for six years, Member for Bellechasse, Stéphanie Lachance, acknowledged that it was a sad day for her and for the entire deputation of Chaudière-Appalaches .

“We talked about it a lot and we had good conversations about it. I’m very emotional about this decision because it’s a project that I’ve defended and campaigned for for six years to our elected officials and the people,” she mentioned from the start, acknowledging this equally one exclusively The motorway connection serving local public transport did not meet the needs of the people and companies in the region.

“Bellechasse is not there in terms of public transport. The area is large and we couldn’t maintain public transit along Route 279, for example. Of the 950,000 inhabitants of all regions of Quebec and Chaudière-Appalaches, we are 37,000 in Bellechasse who live in a large territory. What is certain is that public transport is not a tool or means of transport for us.

She also admits that the figures presented by Minister Guilbault on Thursday morning had been presented to them two days earlier. “The Minister gave us the summaries of this data that she had just received and had to make a difficult decision in the face of it, I agree. As we move, we realize that things aren’t the same as they used to be. Traffic has decreased, as have the habits of citizens, which have also been modulated. »

Disappointment of elected officials

Ms Lachance also says she understands the disappointment and, more importantly, the frustration of the mayors of Bellechasse, with whom she spoke early Wednesday evening, as she also had an interview with Prefect Yvon Dumont the day before.

“I understand their reaction very well,” she said, but refuted the words of those who say the government lied to the people and elected officials of Bellechasse.

“This project was carried out and worked on with verve and honesty. I just think of the many meetings I have had with my colleague François Bonnardel on this subject. We worked very hard but the result is not what we expected. During her press conference, the minister said that it was a very difficult decision that she received thousands of pages of data,” she continues, adding that she will certainly have many questions on the subject since she cannot consult it these in detail.

With regard to a potential and very likely decline in popular support for the Legault government in the future, as suggested by her colleague Luc Provençal from Beauce-Nord, Ms Lachance recalled that the next elections will not be held for three years She intended to continue working for Bellechasse, its staff and its organizations.

“There is still a lot to do at Bellechasse and honestly I will do my job to the end. I honestly owe it to the citizens of Bellechasse who elected me,” she said, adding that some important matters will be resolved soon and that she will have excellent news to share.