CAQ proposes $10B transportation plan ahead of October election

If theCoalitionAvenirQubec winsthe October election, Montreal MayorValrie Plante's Pink line will never see the light of day.

That was one element of the CAQ's$10-billion transportation infrastructure plan released in a promotional video Wednesday, which included the party'sown vision for easing trafficcongestion in and around Montreal.

The CAQ's prioritiesincludea tramway that would run from Pointe-aux-Trembles to downtown Montreal and another on the South Shore.

The CAQ also wants to expand the light-rail transit project now under construction, adding stations in Laval and in South shore communities such as Boucherville and Sainte-Julie.

"It's about time we step up to take actions and stop having committees," said CAQ leader FranoisLegault.

The highlights of the CAQ'stransportation plan include:

• The extension of the Metro Blue line.
• The scrapping ofplans for the Metro Pink line.
• The extension of the LRTtoChamblyon the South Shore and to Laval, north of Montreal.
• The introduction oftax incentives for carpooling.
• The extension of Highway 19 to Bois-des-Filion.
• The widening ofHighway 30 to three lanes between Highways 10 and 20, for public transit.

Plantereleased a statement following the news that the CAQwould not support the proposedPink line, one of Projet Montral's key promises in last fall's municipal election.

• 'Pink line has to be part of the plans,' Valrie Plante says

"This is an interesting planbut one that does not address the main issue namely the saturation of the subway network," she said.

"The only concrete solution to this problem is and remains the project to build the Pink line."

Liberals, PQ have plans, too

The CAQ's plan comes on the heels of plans alreadyannounced by the official oppositionParti Qubcoisand the governing Quebec Liberal Party.

Both have madetransportation in the Greater Montreal area a key part of their electoral platforms.

The Liberals' plan is short on details and favours overarching goals likereducing solo driving by 20 per cent, reducing travel time by 20 per cent, and reducing the costs associated with road congestion in the Montreal area.

It also includes:

• The $6.3 billion REMlight-rail project.
• The extension ofthe Metro Blue line.
• Support for the Pink line
• The extension ofHighway 19 from Laval to Bois-des-Filion.

The PartiQubcois has come out with a splashy plancalled Le Grand Dblocage.

The PQ's plan seeks to:

• Reduce congestion in the greater Montreal area by 10 per cent.
• Add more frequent departures for some commuter trains.
• Supportthe Metro Pink line.
• Get rid of the REM in favour of a more extensive bus and tramway network.
• Add an additional nine express bus routes in the Greater Montreal area.