The first phase of Quebec's "TramCité" will be put into service in 2033

Quebec's "TramCité" Project to Cost $7.6 Billion, Expected to Launch in 2033

The first phase of Quebec's tramway project, now officially named “TramCité,” is estimated to cost $7.6 billion and is anticipated to be operational by 2033.

Transport and Sustainable Mobility Minister Geneviève Guilbault announced the updated details during a press conference in Quebec City on Monday.

Ms. Guilbault clarified that the financial estimate includes costs for preparatory and related work necessary for the project’s completion. However, she noted that the $7.6 billion figure is the current projection and could change over time.

Under agreements signed by the provincial government, the City of Quebec, and CDPQ Infra—designated as the project manager—construction is set to begin in the summer of 2027, with the system expected to launch six years later.

Phase 1 of the TramCité project features a 19-kilometer route connecting the Le Gendre sector to Charlesbourg. The tramway will pass through key locations, including Sainte-Foy, Université Laval, Parliament Hill, and Saint-Roch.

The provincial government will oversee the project’s objectives, timelines, and budget. CDPQ Infra, known for projects like Montreal’s Réseau express métropolitain (REM), will manage construction, while the City of Quebec will act as a partner and end beneficiary.

The inclusion of CDPQ Infra in recent months marks another significant development in the tramway’s journey, which began in 2018. The project’s initial version, announced by former Liberal Premier Philippe Couillard and then-Mayor Régis Labeaume, was initially valued at $3 billion.

Opposition parties have frequently accused the CAQ government of delaying the tramway project and prioritizing its plan for a third highway link between Lévis and Quebec instead.