Quebec tramway: the Saint-Charles-Garnier station is saved


The tram station in the Saint-Charles-Garnier sector is essential according to the citizens and it will be maintained, decided the Marchand administration, which is giving itself a few weeks to decide on the precise insertion of the rails on this segment.

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The City of Quebec presented Tuesday the results of the public consultation for the Saint-Charles-Garnier College sector, where the narrowness of the traffic lanes bordered by two rows of mature trees imposes difficult choices.

The administration had proposed three possible scenarios. The citizens have clearly shown that they want to maintain a station in the sector. Indeed, the option of withdrawing it was only chosen by 18.7% of respondents. “We are now ruling out the idea of ​​removing the station. This decision is made”, established the mayor, Bruno Marchand.

The two other scenarios proposed divided the citizens. In all, 41.4% of respondents preferred the scenario that provides for the complete removal of traffic lanes. On the other hand, 40% opted for the one with two variants: either to keep two lanes of automobile traffic and to insert the tram in the center of the roadway, or to develop a shared street where traffic is calmed at 20 kph.

Political decision

In both cases, trees will have to be cut down. The first scenario foresees the felling of 10 to 15 trees. The second, of 32 trees. In the end, it will be a “political decision”, expressed Mr. Marchand, who intends to assume it.

The mayor indicated that the potential impacts of the choices will have to be taken into account. For example, transit traffic in the neighborhoods bordering René-Lévesque worries citizens.

4000 comments

“Are we able to close a street without creating chaos?” he wondered. Mr. Marchand did not want to give any indication of the option he would choose, preferring to wait to see all the data. Indeed, the administration will be inspired by some 4,000 comments received during the consultations to decide.

The decision on the preferred scenario will be made within two to three weeks, since time is running out. This choice will be sent to the qualified consortia so that they can include it in their proposal, which will be unveiled in the spring of 2023.

One thing is certain, whatever happens, “it will transform René-Lévesque”, agreed the mayor.

Citizens also shared their priorities for these future developments. At the top of the list comes the presence of public transit nearby and the maintenance of existing trees. The least important element for the respondents is the maintenance of the current road capacity.

In all, more than 800 people took part in the information session or the discussion workshops. An online consultation was then conducted over a two-week period, until May 8, and 1,881 online questionnaires were completed.

Ambition

Councilor Jackie Smith, from Transition Québec, invites Mayor Marchand to be “ambitious for sustainable mobility”. She also wants the administration to choose the option that removes all traffic lanes and protects the most trees.

Opinion of participants in the consultation on:

Reduction in the number of vehicles

  • 39% very favorable
  • 34% in favour, provided that measures are put in place to limit traffic on local streets
  • 25% not in favor
  • 2% don’t know

Speed ​​reduction

  • 73% in favor
  • 24% not in favor
  • 3% don’t know

Source: City of Quebec

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Reference-www.tvanouvelles.ca

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