Committee of the Whole: Tramway megaproject will be ready to weather the storm

The schedule of the plenary committee on the Quebec tramway is now known. Every aspect of the transit megaproject will be covered during this important four-hour “update” on Monday.

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The Journal got its hands on the agenda for the meeting, with very few details leaked since it was announced on March 10.

The municipal administration and its project office will face the music and listen to the complaints and concerns of the municipal council members during a question period of more than an hour to conclude the committee of the whole between 11:55 am and 1:00 pm. p.m

The 9am meeting is crucial for the future of the project as it precedes a crucial vote aimed at approving the executive committee’s recommendation to award the construction contract for the tramway trains to French multinational Alstom. 569 million dollars.

The discussion will be held in the municipal council meeting on Tuesday. Mayor Bruno Marchand’s team needs a majority of 22 votes to advance.

Too few to tip the scales, the elected representatives of Québec Forte et Fiere had to convince the other members of the council to support the executive decision by allaying their fears.

Lift all the stones

On Monday, Mayor Marchand’s speech will be followed by a twenty-minute presentation on strategic planning that will open the ball.

Before addressing the issue of the procurement process for infrastructure and rolling stock, the city will continue its explanations on project costs.

She returns to preparatory work for the tramway site in the Saint-Roch, Montcombe-Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Vieux-Limoilou-Maizerets and Saint-Foy sectors. Details of the communication campaign surrounding the megaproject have also been planned.

Each item on the schedule will be followed by a 20- to 30-minute question period to allow elected officials to seek clarification.