William Scott
The Quebec Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility announced the publication of a call for tenders for the completion of track work on section 3, between Vallée-Jonction and Tring-Jonction, on the Québec Central railway rehabilitation project.
The work is scheduled to begin this year. It includes, among other things, replacing the rails and sleepers, as well as reprofiling the track, over a section of approximately 20 kilometres. The Ministry estimates that the necessary work will last nearly a year and a half, so that the commissioning of this section is now anticipated for 2026.
As for the commissioning of the remaining portion of section 2, between Sainte-Marie and Vallée-Jonction, it is still scheduled for the end of 2025. Moreover, in the coming weeks, two additional calls for tenders will be launched in connection with the Québec Central railway rehabilitation project: one for work on this same section and the other for section 4, between Tring-Jonction and Thetford Mines.
In parallel with the track works, the construction of railway structures will continue on sections 3 and 4, more precisely:
- 12 railway bridges, including the one over the Chaudière River, at Vallée-Jonction;
- 21 culverts between Black Lake and Tring-Jonction.
Several projects were also completed last year, including the construction of 5 railway bridges and 17 culverts located along the route.
Ultimately, the Québec Central railway rehabilitation project will provide a sustainable alternative to truck freight transportation between Lévis and Thetford Mines , a distance of nearly 110 km. It will thus contribute to both the economic development of the Chaudière-Appalaches region and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The rehabilitation of the railway between Lévis and Vallée-Jonction (sections 1 and 2) is a project in progress which represents an investment of $59.2 million.
The rehabilitation of the railway between Vallée-Jonction and Thetford Mines (sections 3 and 4) represents an investment of $440 million.
Featured image: Construction of the railway bridge over the Chaudière River, in Vallée-Jonction, December 2024. (Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility)
