Quebec roads, highways and bridges face nearly $1 billion in cost overruns

(photo: Noovo Info)

Quebec is facing almost $1 billion in cost overruns on a number of road, highway and bridge projects.

For example, the Highway 15 project between Boisbriand and Mirabel saw costs jump by $100.4 million.

Noovo Info reviewed the Quebec Electronic Tendering System, which lists contracts and contractors for public works, but could not find detailed explanations for the overruns.

At the site, where a northbound lane is being added to improve traffic flow, particularly during evening rush hours and weekends, the initially approved budget of $191.7 million increased to $292.1 million.

The firm Groupe Lefebvre, which was on site, referred Noovo Info to Roxboro Excavations for answers.

Roxboro, in turn, directed all questions to Quebec’s Transport Ministry (MTQ).

Noovo Info subsequently filed an access-to-information request for all documents, including reports, emails, notes, justifications, invoices and analyses explaining the cost overruns for 21 major road projects.

The request also asked for the initial contracts, as well as any cancelled or relaunched contracts.

The ministry declined to provide full responses, citing the large nature of the request and the labour required.

Communications staff did provide partial explanations.

Ministry’s explanations

For the Highway 15 project, the ministry attributes the cost increase to several factors: the addition of works such as pavement and culvert rehabilitation, a wind-break hedge, delays in geotechnical studies and higher-than-expected financing costs.

Inflation also played a role.

In Saint‑Jérôme, the Highway 15 cost increase is attributed to the deterioration of the concrete slab.

Additionally, the Gaspésie rail network could see costs surge by $200 million, more than double the 2019 estimate.

The ministry says Section 2 requires larger-than-expected interventions, including new works at coastal-erosion sites.

Other projects, such as the Highway 40 between Kirkland and Sainte‑Anne‑de‑Bellevue, may see overruns of $19.8 million, primarily due to inflation.

During budget-credit hearings on May 7, Liberal MNA Monsef Derraji asked former transport minister Geneviève Guilbault about the overruns.

She acknowledged the increases, saying, “I understand that he did an arithmetic, but, as I explained to him, there are circumstantial, objective elements and, for some, beyond our control that explain the cost increases of certain projects. These projects are necessary for Quebecers.”