Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand said it is impossible to sacrifice the Samuel-De Champlain promenade to accommodate a third bridge link [1].
The dispute pits urban infrastructure goals against the preservation of the city's waterfront. The proposed bridge would block the fourth phase [2] of the promenade, a project designed to enhance public access to the river and maintain the area's historic character.
Marchand said that the development of a third link [1] would directly conflict with the existing plans for the promenade. The mayor said that the heritage character of the region is at risk if the bridge proceeds as currently envisioned. This tension highlights a growing conflict between the need for increased traffic capacity and the desire for sustainable, pedestrian-friendly urban spaces.
The Samuel-De Champlain promenade has been developed in stages to create a continuous public space along the shoreline. The fourth phase [2] represents the final critical segment of this vision. By opposing the bridge, the mayor is prioritizing the completion of this public amenity over the potential traffic relief provided by a new crossing.
City officials have previously noted that the city's authorization may be required for certain aspects of the bridge's implementation. The current standoff suggests that the municipal government will not grant that approval if the project threatens the promenade's integrity.
“Impossible to sacrifice the Samuel-De Champlain promenade for a third bridge link”
This conflict reflects a broader urban planning struggle in Quebec City between traditional transit expansion and modern 'livable city' initiatives. By prioritizing the promenade's fourth phase, the municipal government is signaling that environmental and heritage preservation now carry as much weight as industrial infrastructure in the city's long-term development strategy.
