A major transformation is underway on the north shore approaches to the Pierre-Laporte and Quebec bridges, reshaping how residents, commuters, and visitors travel between Quebec City and Lévis. The redevelopment of Avenue des Hôtels and the surrounding corridor represents a large-scale initiative that blends transportation efficiency, sustainability, safety, and modern urban planning. The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility (province of Québec) has outlined a series of coordinated interventions that will introduce new public transit infrastructure, improve pedestrian and cycling routes, support long term economic potential, and offer a renewed urban experience at one of the most visible gateways to the national capital (Quebec City).
The work includes a complete redesign of Avenue des Hôtels with a dedicated public transit corridor, a tunnel that allows buses to bypass a busy intersection, reconstruction of access ramps, new links for active transportation, redesigned intersections, and landscaping to give the area a distinctive visual identity. According to publicly available project information, the goal is to modernize and streamline travel for all users while encouraging adoption of sustainable transportation.
When asked how the dedicated bus corridor and tunnel will benefit commuters, Sophie Boucher, urban planner and project manager, Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility emphasizes the focus on reliability and travel time improvements. “The corridor is entirely reserved for buses and built on a concrete roadway separate from car traffic lanes, either in a central median or alongside it. This is the first corridor of its kind built within the City of Quebec. The infrastructure will help to regulate journey times and thus offer better reliability of the public transport service and a saving of time for users.”
Strategic Design
The tunnel beneath the Laurier Boulevard and Lavigerie Avenue intersection is among the most strategic elements. “The tunnel has the advantage of allowing public transport users to bypass congestion areas in the heart of a busy sector,” says Boucher. Its location allows buses to avoid waiting at traffic signals while remaining entirely separated from private vehicles. “When the bus traveling in the reserved lane reaches Lavigerie Avenue, it enters the underground tunnel, thus bypassing the intersection’s congestion. Transit users then bypass the traffic light at the intersection. Similarly, motorists are not stuck between buses.” She adds that the configuration anticipates future integration, noting, “Eventually, the reserved corridor on Laurier Boulevard could be connected to the future interchange hub planned in the tramCité project (Quebec City tramway).”
Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety
Pedestrian and cyclist safety are equally prominent in the project design, as several new links and path improvements will bridge existing transportation networks. “By creating a pedestrian corridor linking Avenue des Hôtels and the Sainte-Foy train station, pedestrian access to the station will be improved, as will intermodality between train and bus users,” says Simon Pilote, strategic Project Management Advisor, Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility. He notes that the project will also reshape a formerly purely utilitarian space. “The architectural design and landscaping will encourage active transportation users to travel through this currently neglected area.” Additional improvements include a continuous pedestrian link along Avenue des Hôtels, widened multi use paths, and new bike lanes “on each side of Avenue des Hôtels between the Aquarium du Québec and Chemin Saint-Louis to connect existing networks.”
The engineering context is highly complex and requires intensive planning and communication, as the corridor sits near the region’s only two inter-river crossings and a major highway interchange with many connections to the municipal road network. “Traffic management during the construction is therefore very complex.” Pilote shares that residential detours and temporary street closures have created challenges. “Residents of the area need to be well informed about the construction work, as some residential streets have been closed for extended periods. Detours, not always easy to navigate, and the neighborhoods overwhelmed by through traffic have become major issues.” Businesses have also been part of the planning and communication strategy. “Businesses, particularly hotel and restaurant owners, whose customers could be especially inconvenienced by the noise or other nuisances generated by a project of this scale, are receiving special attention.”
Construction planning began long before the first shovel touched the ground. “Project with a significant impact on private or public land and requiring several land acquisitions and obtaining numerous permits before work can begin.” Design development involved three firms working in phases, subject to the standards and requirements of both the Ministry and the City of Quebec. Multiple contractors are also executing work simultaneously across separate but adjoining sites. The Ministry has also coordinated planning with the City of Quebec, the Quebec and Lévis transit authorities, SÉPAQ (Société des établissements de plein air du Québec), and the National Capital Commission of Quebec.
Sustainability at the Core
Sustainability features throughout the redevelopment plan. “From a place dedicated almost exclusively to automobiles, a section for active transportation will be added upon completion of the project.” Replanting efforts will reshape the landscape, as Pilote states, “In total, more than 600 trees, 7,000 shrubs, and 35,000 other plants (perennials and grasses) will be planted.” Soil remediation is underway because of historical industrial uses. The team has also prioritized material recovery and reuse. “In total, 85,000 tonnes of soil and rock are excavated to build the tunnel. This will be reused elsewhere on the site and for leveling work on Avenue des Hôtels.”
“A second example illustrates adaptive heritage reuse: A sandstone wall near the north approach to the Quebec Bridge had to be demolished as part of the work. These same stones make up the fortifications of the Citadel of Quebec as well as several other heritage sites. Consequently, organizations such as Parks Canada and the National Capital Commission of Quebec recovered the stones to reuse them in heritage restoration projects.”
Stormwater and climate adaptation are significant planning elements. “Oversizing of pipes to meet the increased water flow due to climate change.” Storage facilities will include underground chambers and an open-air retention basin that doubles as habitat space. “Monthly assessment of the amount of GHG produced by site activities in order to offset emissions.”
Eyes to the Future
With work underway since May 2023, the coming years will see phased completion toward commissioning in 2027. “By the end of 2026, the construction of two overpass bridges, above the CN railway line (Route 175 and Avenue des Hôtels) will be completed.” All major work related to the tunnel is planned to be finished earlier in 2026, followed by landscaping and final surface treatments.
The redeveloped corridor is intended to deliver tangible long-term mobility and economic benefits. “With the implementation of the dedicated bus lane, the efficiency of public transit will be optimized, resulting in more consistent travel times. Time savings are expected over time, particularly during the afternoon rush hour southbound, which will be beneficial for the economy.”
The final vision aligns with Quebec’s broader approach to sustainable mobility and user-friendly public spaces. “The redevelopment will improve the movement of all users in the area, including pedestrians and cyclists, in addition to enhancing the landscape surrounding the gateway to the nation’s capital.” The completed corridor aims to strengthen multi modal connections, improve quality of movement, and support a gradual modal shift. “By integrating a corridor for public transportation, the project will allow for an efficient interconnection of the public transportation networks of Quebec City and Lévis, create safe and attractive links for active travel and give a distinctive signature to the entrance of the national capital by enhancing the landscape.” Boucher concludes that the redevelopment will “make this axis more human scale, better suited to all users of the area and better suited to the urban development vision of the City of Quebec.”
For more information, please visit www.transports.gouv.qc.ca
