Premier Christine Fréchette has announced that her government has received 21 proposals from companies interested in the Third Link highway project between Quebec City and Lévis, as the election campaign draws near. Fréchette expressed that the companies’ interest reflects a desire to explore the project further and collaborate with the public. Despite this progress, there are still several steps to be taken before moving forward.
The government initiated a 45-day call for expressions of interest on June 25, aiming to evaluate the capabilities of the companies and provide them with necessary information.
The history of the Third Link project has seen various proposals and changes under the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government. Initially, there were discussions about an eastern tunnel under Île d’Orléans, followed by a shift to a route connecting the city centers. Minister Geneviève Guilbault later suggested a tunnel dedicated to public transit, leading to a revival of the project in June 2024.
Premier Fréchette, during the CAQ leadership race, expressed interest in reverting to the original eastern route with a toll, involving a public-private partnership with federal support.
Meanwhile, the upcoming elections on October 5 are intensifying in regions like Lotbinière-Frontenac and Beauce-Nord, where the CAQ faces potential challenges from Éric Duhaime’s Quebec Conservative Party. Candidates like Roch Gamache and Philippe Simard are gearing up for tough competition in their respective ridings.
Fréchette emphasized her party’s commitment to investing in infrastructure, contrasting it with what she perceives as the Conservative leader’s approach of cutting services. The political landscape in these districts promises a close race, with the election outcome being highly anticipated.
