Boulevard Rene-Lewesk: Three scenes on the table for tramway insertion

Shared street, one-way or two-lane automobile traffic? These are the three scenes that the project office unveiled yesterday for the tram insertion at Boulevard Rene-Lewesk in the Montcolm sector. Tree care and traffic issues are at the center of the debate.

Also read: Tramway: The fate of Rene-Lewesk has not been determined, Saward said

Also read: Quebec City steps on accelerator: 14 first notices of extortion for tramway

Project Office Director Daniel Genest presented the advantages and disadvantages of each of the three “variants” yesterday afternoon, the costs of which are comparable. He emphasized that his goal was to find a balance between tree protection, traffic and built heritage. He said a decision on the municipal administration would have to be taken in the future as a result of the November 7 elections.

Mr. Genest Tram described three scenes for insertion (see details below). “During the April contract drafting, it became clear that more work had been done on Variant 1 (Shared Street). But we are giving way to consider variant 2 or 3, ”he said.

1584 Trees uprooted

The project office also updated on a very sensitive issue related to trees. On the tram’s 19.3km route, it is now estimated that 1,584 will be killed, a hundred less than the 1,701 discussed so far.

With regard to the Rene-Lewesk boulevard section between Mirand and Turnbull, nearly 208 were condemned. However, another (27, 34 or 74) should be added to this number, depending on the insert variant selected. In return, the project office swears that there are more or less 3,500 trees to compensate for these losses.

Extra delay for Metro?

Recalling that the tram must be delivered in 2028, Mr. Genest also said that it would be “impossible” to reach this deadline if another transportation system suddenly came to the table. According to him, the minimum completion time is 10 to 11 years, i.e. 2031 or 2032. Drafting new calls for the establishment of a new project office, resumption of the environmental process and proposals will require “four to five years”. . He believes this work will take well over six years.

Of the five leading candidates for the Quebec mayor, four are in favor or on the tramway, while only Quebec 21 chief Jean-Franకోois Gocelin has campaigned for Light Metro, promising to deliver within the same deadline. Than the tram.

Version 1

Shared lanes with less automobile space on the Rene-Lewesk boulevard between Turnbull and Des Erbles. This is the scene of the felling of trees in this corner (27 in total). Land acquisition is low. The ambient noise level is reduced. On the other hand, we anticipate that a good portion of traffic flows will be diverted, especially in the Grande Alley.

Variant 2

This section of the Rene-Lewesk Boulevard is lined with a single lane of automobile traffic on the east side. More trees will be cut down (34), but the effect on traffic transfer will be much smaller than the first hypothesis.

Variation3

Only one vehicle lane will be placed in each direction. The scenario will lead to more purchases and the felling of 74 of the 189 trees on the boulevard Rene-Levesk between Des Erbles and Turnball.

What they said

• “For us, it becomes Scenario 4. No tram (…) Mr. Genest gave his opinion (regarding the deadline for another transport policy). If he had studied any other option than the tramway, I would like to see the study ”, said Jean-Franకోois Gocelin, head of Quebec21.
• “Especially work is underway to achieve the best integration of the tram and to protect as many trees as possible along the way”, said Mary-Josie Sword, head of Team Sword via Twitter.
• “I have a favorable bias for Scenario 1, therefore a shared way to reduce deforestation and reduce the impact on buildings and civilians. But we must consult the people, “said Bruno Marchand, Quebec’s strong and proud leader.
• “I have a positive view on reducing automobile traffic. Coming to the city center, it becomes a tram. This is the preferred mode, ”said Jean Rousseau, leader of Democracy Quebec.
• “The first variant that protects the most trees is the most interesting to us. We must get out of automobile addiction, ”said Jackie Smith, head of Transition Quebec.