Quebec City Tramway Network: Project Profile

The Quebec City Tramway Network is a transformative urban infrastructure project integrating a 23 km light rail transit (LRT) line with a 17 km bus rapid transit (BRT) system. Engineered to enhance public mobility and foster sustainable development, this project addresses the city’s growing transportation demands with modern, high-capacity rolling stock and strategic infrastructure upgrades. The network is on track for full operational deployment in 2026.

Technical Specifications

The core of the network is a 23 km LRT line designed to connect key urban nodes from Charlesbourg to Cap-Rouge, including Parliament Hill and Laval University. A significant 3.5 km segment of this line is constructed as a tunnel to minimize surface disruption in the city’s dense core. The system features 36 stations, five of which are underground. The rolling stock consists of modern trams with a capacity for 260 passengers, designed to move over 5,000 people per hour during peak periods. Complementing the LRT is a 17 km, fully electrified BRT line employing bi-articulated buses, each capable of transporting 150 passengers. The project includes extensive road and utility infrastructure modifications to support the new transit corridors, ensuring seamless integration with the existing urban fabric.

Key Takeaways

• Integrated Mobility Solution: The project’s hybrid LRT-BRT model provides a comprehensive, multi-modal transit solution, offering extensive coverage and operational flexibility to serve diverse areas of the city efficiently.
• Collaborative Funding Model: A tripartite funding agreement involving municipal, provincial, and federal governments demonstrates a robust, shared commitment to large-scale infrastructure investment, providing a potential framework for future Canadian projects.
• Commitment to Sustainability: By providing a high-capacity, electrified public transit alternative, the tramway network is designed to significantly reduce traffic congestion, lower the city’s carbon footprint, and support long-term economic and urban growth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When will the Quebec City Tramway open?
The Quebec City Tramway is scheduled to become fully operational and open to the public in 2026. The project, which began construction in 2019, is currently in its final construction and testing phases.

Who is building the Quebec City Tramway?
The Quebec City Tramway is being built through a collaboration of expert firms. The primary design contract was awarded to SYSTRA Canada. The preliminary design was managed by the Tram-Innov consortium, which includes WSP Canada, CIMA+, and HATCH. The entire project is overseen by Quebec City and the Capital Transport Network (RTC).