Mendel’s rise: Opposition fears the project will collapse

The official opposition fears that the Mendel Street extension project will fail if the tramway does not see the light of day in the IKEA area. Mayor Marchand declined to comment on the matter on Tuesday.

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The question of the tram was raised a few times during the budget study at City Hall, but some questions were answered on Wednesday, as the pause imposed by the Legault government should last until mid-2024. The Official Opposition asked officials whether the planned Mendel Street extension in the IKEA area would go ahead with or without the tramway.

This infrastructure aims to widen rue Mendel between Boulevard de la Chaudière and Boulevard du Versant-Nord with the construction of an overpass.

Mayor Bruno Marchand took on the question, which, according to him, was “political” in nature.

“We’ll see what the government’s proposal is, what kind of structured transit if there is one, and then we can decide what happens after that.”

“Breach of Contract”

Whatever happens to the Leader of the Opposition, this project must go ahead. He fears it will fall by the wayside without the tramway. “My understanding of the mayor’s response is that if the tramway doesn’t happen it won’t happen. We do not agree. This is a citizen’s assessment. […] If that doesn’t happen, I feel like it’s a breach of contract with the citizens of the sector.”

Limoilou councilor Jackie Smith believes, on the contrary, that the road link should not see the light of day. “If the tram doesn’t happen I hope it doesn’t happen.”

Opposition parties continue to demand the presence of Tram Project Office Director Daniel Genest at plenary committees. For Quebec First, Équipe Priorité Québec and Transition Québec, this will be an opportunity to get more details on the impact of pausing the tramway, but also on the amounts committed so far.