The Quebec government created the surprise in March, after the Girard budget was deposited, suspending the work of this motorway section until 2030. Although the project remains in the Quebec infrastructure plan (PQI), no funding is granted for the next five years.
Break justified by the economy
The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility invokes economic considerations to explain this decision. “It is to respect the capacity to pay taxpayers,” explains the ministry spokesperson, Julie Marcoux. The choice that has been made is to invest more in existing infrastructure. This is called the maintenance of assets. ”
Paradoxically, the Minister of Transport, Geneviève Guilbault, continues to assert the importance of the completion of this 47 km highway portion, which is among the 10 major projects in Quebec at the PQI. “From 2030 to 2035, the project is provisioned,” says Marcoux, revealing a possible resumption of work in five years.
29.3 million already engaged
A few months before this upheaval, the ministry had granted three contracts totaling 29.3 million, the largest amount ever initiated by the Legault government for this project since its re -registration at the PQI.
These investments are distributed as follows: 11.9 million for the plans of the Trois-Pistoles River Bridge, 10 million for the design of the 6 km section between Notre-Dame-des-Neiges and Trois-Pistoles as well as 7.4 million for the environmental impact study of the Trois-Pistoles-Le Bic (Rimouski) segment.
Only limited studies on the Trois-Pistoles River have been conducted since 2022, in particular on environmental inventories. “As studies are not final, data and conclusions are not available,” said the ministry spokesperson.
A project that divides
This temporary suspension reveals the deep fractures that this project arouses in the region. On the one hand, the majority of residents of Saint-Fabien, Bic and Saint-Simon-de-Rimouski are actively campaigning for the completion of the highway with demonstrations and signs planted here and there in front of the residences and on the edge of Route 132, where we can read “We want the 20”.
On the other hand, opponents, mainly concentrated with three-pistoles and supported by various organizations, rather advocate the improvement of the existing route 132. The mayor of the place, Philippe Guilbert, is also the only member of the regional table of municipal elected officials in Bas-Saint-Laurent to oppose the project.
Two -camp arguments
For the Committee spokesperson for the extension of Highway 20, the figures are eloquent: more than 12,000 vehicles circulate daily on Route 132 between Saint-Fabien and the BIC in summer. “Route 132 is the most dangerous in the world, according to TV5,” said Blandine Michaud, citing recent fatal accidents and noise pollution reaching several dozen decibels, mainly during the passage of heavy trucks.
In contrast, Sébastien Rioux of the group “The Pont de la 20, it does not stand up” believes that “the road is rarely a problem” and that “the cause is, largely, behavioral”. Rather, he recommends an increased use of maritime, rail and common transport, while worrying about the ecological impacts of the motorway completion project, especially on the Trois-Pistoles River and on a rare plant that lives on its banks.
Uncertain future
Could the suspension of the project ring the final death knell for the extension of Highway 20? It will take another five years to get an answer.
In the meantime, the work of the two follow -up committees created to ensure the connection with elected officials, the first nation Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk and the citizens are also put on the uphens. These committees will only resume their activities in the possible recovery of the project in 2030.
In addition, this five -year postponement only adds a new chapter to this saga that has lost for decades, leaving the populations concerned in the uncertainty about the future of their trips.