Quebec launches international expression of interest for third link to the east
Quebec’s Transport Ministry launches an international call for interest on a third link to the east; submissions due Aug. 10, with cost details due spring 2027.
Quebec’s Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has opened an international expression of interest for a proposed third link to the east, soliciting firms to submit their capabilities by Aug. 10. The document asks companies to outline expertise and interest so the ministry can assess market capacity and options for delivery. The ministry said the process will inform a possible request for proposals and help shape the project’s scope. Officials emphasized that detailed cost estimates and the final alignment will not be released until spring 2027, after the provincial election.
Call parameters and submission window
The ministry framed the notice as a targeted outreach to construction and investment firms capable of delivering and operating a large-scale transportation project. Respondents have 45 days to file their statements of interest, and the ministry intends to gather information on financing, construction methods and operational models. The exercise is explicitly intended to inform a future procurement process rather than to commit to a final design or budget. Findings from the call are expected to be published in the fall of 2026.
Timing for decisions and public disclosure
Officials have made clear that fundamental decisions on route and cost will be deferred until next year, with more specific information scheduled for spring 2027. The ministry says general observations from the industry engagement will be shared in autumn 2026 to guide further planning. Minister Benoit Charette said the additional work will allow the government to better define the alignment, refine cost estimates and set a realistic delivery timetable. He stressed that the staged approach is intended to produce a more robust and bankable proposal.
Private financing and tolling options under consideration
The expression of interest explicitly targets private-sector partners, including construction consortiums and investment groups, to explore financing and delivery alternatives. The ministry document notes that a toll could be incorporated into a future request for proposals, although that decision would follow conclusions drawn from industry responses. Minister Charette indicated the government is looking to combine public and private funding rather than relying solely on taxpayers. Officials say examining public‑private partnership models will help identify ways to accelerate construction while managing public cost exposure.
Business community and local advocates respond positively
Local business groups and regional advocacy organizations welcomed the announcement as a concrete step forward for inter-river connectivity. Alain Vallières, spokesperson for the Coalition de l’Est, described the call as good news for companies, workers and families on both sides of the river and said it signals a clear commitment to an eastern crossing. The president and CEO of the Quebec Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the chamber is watching the project’s evolution and sees improved inter-river mobility as crucial for regional economic growth. The head of the Greater Lévis chamber called the move long overdue but urged clarity on the exact route and project details.
Political scrutiny and accusations of election timing
Opposition figures criticized the timing and substance of the announcement, calling it a staged move ahead of the next provincial election. Pascal Paradis, the Parti Québécois critic for the region, argued that repeated calls and prior announcements have produced little concrete information on costs, engineering or final alignment. He noted the government has made multiple public statements about a third link since 2018 and accused officials of offering promises without supporting studies. The opposition also referenced recent scrutiny by the provincial auditor general, saying the government must demonstrate stronger planning and fiscal discipline.
Government acknowledges past setbacks and seeks renewed credibility
Minister Charette acknowledged the project’s credibility has been affected by earlier reversals and policy shifts but said the current approach aims to build broader consensus. He defended the industry engagement as an “important step” that will produce technical and financial feedback to strengthen future procurement. The minister also suggested that attitudes toward public-private partnerships have evolved since earlier discussions, making private contribution more politically and practically feasible today. Officials stressed that this is a planning and market-sounding phase and that no final procurement or construction decision has been taken.
The expression of interest marks a renewed push to resolve long-standing congestion and mobility issues between the Quebec and Lévis regions, while also setting the stage for a detailed planning process that will extend into 2027.
