Construction of a bridge over the Saguenay River expected to cost between 4 to 5 billion dollars.
A Cheap Talk About a Pricey Dream
Got wind of a proposed bridge linking Baie-Sainte-Catherine and Tadoussac, set to cost a whopping 4-5 billion smackers, according to a feasibility report commissioned by the government.
"It's a bloody big price tag," admitted Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault as she spilled the beans on a presser this week. Quebec's dancing the Ottawa funds jig and doesn't rule out imposing tolls to finance the much-anticipated infrastructure dream of the Côte-Nord dwellers.
The study backs a bridge connection between the aforementioned towns, with a span near Tadoussac village to avoid isolation. "It's a project that would bring some sweet benefits," the minster said during a National Assembly press conference. Next up: figuring out the best way to make this dream come true.
However, the government's been tightlipped about any timeline for action. The bridge remains on Quebec's Infrastructure Plan, but it's been stuck in limbo since the government announced a funding freeze before 2030.
"A project of this magnitude, it ain't done in a couple of years between coffees," noted the Minister of Employment and the man in charge of the Côte-Nord in cabinet, Kateri Champagne Jourdain. "It's a major infrastructure project, we got some important moves to make."
Five decades of studies
The recent study adds to a mountain of research amassed since 1973. Back then, a technical analysis by the Robert Bourassa government heralded "the ever-growing need" for a "permanent link over the Saguenay to Tadoussac" and announced in caps that "the Saguenay bridge is definitely a wise investment."
The investment back in the day was $269 million in today's dough. Today's version, presented this week, comes with a price tag 15.5 times greater than the 1973 project.
Despite reading like a bloodbath for both Quebec and Ottawa budgets, the Union 138 Coalition, who've been advocating for a bridge for ages, isn't letting go of hope. "This bridge has got to be built," said their spokesperson, Guillaume Tremblay. "In politics, the landscape can change quickly. Sure, there have been many studies, but there may not have always been the political will. Now that we got the study, we’ll rally the Côte-Nord folks and put pressure on the government."
The Coalition vows to "do whatever it takes" to speed up the process, expressing concern about waiting "until 2030 is like an eternity."
"The boss man said earlier this year that he’d wait for the study conclusions to make a call. Now that we've got it, we're aiming for an answer in the coming weeks," added Tremblay.
However, Marc Gilbert, head honcho of the Society for a Bridge over the Saguenay to Tadoussac, is anxious about the state of public finances. "It's clear that the government doesn't have the cash flow for their grand ambitions at the moment. We got a study that confirms the need for a bridge and its benefits for a eco-sensitive region. Now, we're stepping into the political game."
The Minister of Transportation has promised a spring 2026 update. "It's perfect timing, there'll be elections in the Fall. Every party will have to leash on this issue."
The Liberal opposition, though, has criticized the alleged over-spending by the CAQ government, which they feel threatens the Saguenay bridge development. "With the deficit... we've painted ourselves into a corner," lamented Nelligan MP and transport spokesperson for the opposition, Monsef Derraji. "We no longer have the room to maneuver to execute the projects we desire."
The mayor of Tadoussac, Richard Therrien, chose to hush up on the study until he could discuss it with his city council.
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- The influx of snow in the southern part of the province, amounting to 20-35 centimeters, is causing a significant winter storm, as reported in "A Blizzard Blankets the South".
- The recent decrease in Canada-US border crossings shows a historic slump, with nearly a million fewer travelers crossing by car to the US in March, according to "Historic Slump in Canada-US Border Crossings".
- Quebec colleges may face a financial loss of $48 million due to the new decree that caps the number of international students, as stated in "Quebec's Colleges May Lose $48 Million Due to Foreign Student Cap".
- Despite the expensive price tag estimated for the proposed bridge linking Baie-Sainte-Catherine and Tadoussac, the Union 138 Coalition continues to advocate for its construction, expressing their intention to put pressure on the government and rally the Côte-Nord folks, as mentioned in "A Cheap Talk About a Pricey Dream".
- The Society for a Bridge over the Saguenay to Tadoussac is concerned about the state of public finances and is prepared to enter the political arena to ensure the development of the proposed bridge, as discussed by Marc Gilbert in "A Cheap Talk About a Pricey Dream".
