Ontario Construction News staff writer
TramCité has reached a new milestone in the development of Québec City’s tramway project with the selection of Kiewit, supported by CIMA+, for underground utility relocation work along two major downtown corridors.
Work, which will take place on René-Lévesque Boulevard and 1st Avenue in Québec City, marks a key preparatory phase for the implementation of the future tramway system.
The tramway project has an estimated price tag of $7.6 billion.
Kiewit was chosen following what project officials described as a rigorous and structured procurement process conducted in accordance with industry standards. The company will draw on the technical expertise and execution capacity of its teams to deliver the complex scope of work.
Active in Québec since 1957, Kiewit has been involved in several major infrastructure projects across the province, including the reconstruction of the Turcot Interchange in Montréal, the extension of Highway 25 and the construction of hydroelectric facilities.
The underground utility relocation will prepare two strategic downtown corridors for the tramway by moving and upgrading existing infrastructure beneath the surface. Project officials said particular attention will be paid to managing impacts on residents, businesses and road users, with mitigation measures planned to reduce disruption during construction.
“The selection of the contractor for underground utility relocation marks a concrete and necessary step forward for TramCité,” said Jean-Philippe Pelletier, vice-president of the TramCité project. “It allows us to move from planning to on-the-ground interventions, while maintaining close coordination with our partners and the communities involved.”
Patrick Lamarre, president of Kiewit Construction Co., said the company is pleased to have been selected to carry out the initial works of the project alongside its design partner, CIMA+.
“Kiewit is proud of its long history of delivering essential transportation infrastructure across Québec,” Lamarre said. “We look forward to mobilizing our construction and engineering expertise, as well as our highly skilled local workforce, to safely deliver this important project for the benefit of Québec City residents.”
The utility relocation work is expected to pave the way for subsequent phases of tramway construction in the coming months.
