Quebec ministers sorry for broken promise on ‘third link’ tunnel in capital

QUEBEC – A parade of government ministers took turns today issuing sorrowful regrets for breaking a major election promise to build a multi-purpose vehicle tunnel linking Quebec City to its south shore.

Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault confirmed that the tunnel would instead be reserved for public transit only, saying reduced car traffic in the region since the COVID-19 pandemic couldn’t justify the project.

The so-called “third link” across the St. Lawrence River — after the Pierre Laporte Bridge and the Quebec Bridge — was a key promise of Premier François Legault during the 2018 and 2022 election campaigns to woo voters in the capital region.

Education Minister Bernard Drainville delivered a teary apology in front of reporters for failing to deliver what he had championed ahead of the October election.

Guilbault couldn’t say how much a new tunnel would cost because there were still many issues that needed to be settled, but she said the cost of the previous, larger project was about $10 billion.

As well, the transport minister said she didn’t know what type of public transit — buses or a tramway — would cross the tunnel, adding she hoped the new route would encourage people to reduce their private car use.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 20, 2023.