Legault declined to say whether Mayor Marchand’s support was needed: “We’re moving forward with a four-lane tunnel,” Legault said.

QUEBEC – François Legault declined to say whether his project of a 3rd link between Quebec and Lévis would require the support of the Quebec mayor to materialize. But one thing is certain in the CAQ chief’s mind: “We are going ahead with the four-lane tunnel”.

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After donning his prime ministerial robes on Saturday afternoon to report on the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona, François Legault resumed his campaign tour. He took advantage of his visit to the national capital to meet Mayor Bruno Marchand.

At the end of the roughly forty-minute interview, Chief Caquist recalled that Quebec City’s number one was waiting for studies on Link 3 before approving his government’s project.

“I believe we will have the support of the mayor once the studies are submitted,” he said.

And if Bruno Marchand doesn’t support the project, can he still go ahead? “I will not answer and no one should answer speculative questions. I believe we will settle with the Mayor”, he was limited to replying.

François Legault confirmed on Saturday that his government gave the green light last spring to a preliminary draft of the sub-river twin-tube project, before a feasibility study on Link 3 was completed. The latter will be made public in early 2023.

However, this is not what the Ministry of Transport’s Road Project Preparation Guide recommends, which is a “combination of best practices”.

According to the CAQ chief, putting the 3rd link on fast track demonstrates his determination to carry out the project. And if we are to believe Francois Legault, there is not much room for amendments. “We are going ahead for a four-lane tunnel”.

Uncertain target population

For days, the outgoing prime minister has said the twin tube between Quebec and its southern coast is needed because of the region’s population projections, particularly because of the large influx of immigrants.

Francois Legault, however, had to admit on Saturday that the government wants to direct the national capital to newcomers and Lévis should not settle long-term in the Greater Quebec City area. “We can’t force newcomers to think they don’t have the right to go to Montreal,” he admits.