Gatineau residents celebrate the new rue Jacques-Cartier
Gatineau, September 10, 2016. – Gatineau residents today celebrate the improvements to rue Jacques-Cartier. This event will include activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. along rue Jacques-Cartier between Saint-Antoine and des Montgolfières. The inauguration of rue Jacques-Cartier marks the end of the work begun in the summer of 2013. Quick facts
● | These major improvements represent an investment in the order of $43 M. This investment was shared between Gatineau ($27 M) and the National Capital Commission (NCC) ($16 M). |
● | The work was done between the Lady Aberdeen Bridge and rue Saint-Louis, over 3.2 km. |
● | Quebec's ministère des Transports, de la Mobilité durable et de l'Électrification des transports undertook to spend $938,951 under the Véloce II program, financed by the Green Fund, to build this recreational pathway. |
● | Quebec's ministère de la Culture et des Communications covered half of the cost of the interpretation panels, contributing approximately $26,000. |
● | The work essentially consisted of: -burying overhead distribution cables and modifying electrical connections; -stabilizing and naturalizing the shoreline; -road work; -building a lane with parking behind the homes; -building a multi-purpose pathway along the shoreline that connects to the Route verte; -building gazebos, rest stops for cyclists, docks and parks around a nautical theme: quai des Artistes, Le Quai-des-Cageux, Le Quai-des-Légendes, Le Quai-Bellevue, Le Quai-Claircée and Le Quai-Belle-Isle; -building a public place, called Place Abinan; and -installing street furniture and lighting.
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● | Place Abinan, at the corner of Saint-Antoine and Jacques-Cartier, acknowledges the presence of the Aboriginal peoples passing through this area. No fewer than 125,000 artefacts dating back some 3600 to 7000 years were found during archaeological digs. Place Abinan has a work of art entitled Birch Bark Basket by artist Simon Brascoupé. The Algonquin community of Kitigan Zibi and the NCC collaborated on the project. |
● | For additional information about the project, go to gatineau.ca/jacques-cartier or ccn-ncc.gc.ca. |
Quotes
“The waterways have played a key role in Gatineau's history. The revitalization of rue Jacques-Cartier clearly reflects this aspect, and the $43 M in improvements highlights the area's great beauty. I am proud of this project, which returns this historical sector to its full splendour. I am also proud that the Council made this one of its priorities. And this pride, I am certain, will be shared by all Gatineau residents,” indicated Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin.
“Residents and visitors to our region will experience a new and contemporary relationship with the waterfront, the river and the panoramic view of the core of the Capital. This solid partnership with the City of Gatineau fits our mandate to build a capital that is a source of pride,” added NCC Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mark Kristmanson.
“The people of Gatineau have one more reason to be proud of their city. The revitalization of rue Jacques-Cartier is emblematic of our quality of life and of a community that embraces the beauty that surrounds it,” added Mr. Steven MacKinnon, Member of Parliament for Gatineau.
“Through its financial contribution to the construction of the rue Jacques-Cartier recreational pathway under the Véloce II, volet I program, the government is helping to achieve the objectives under the ministère des Transports, de la Mobilité durable et de l'Électrification des transports' Politique sur le vélo. In many cases, the efficient and safe transportation infrastructures provided under this policy help make cycling a practical and low-cost alternative. This pathway, which connects with the Route verte, will enable Gatineau residents to walk or bike downtown while enjoying the spectacular surroundings,” pointed out Laurent Lessard, Quebec's Minister of Transportation, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification and Minister responsible for the Centre-du-Québec region.
“Through the Green Fund, most of which consists of revenues from the carbon tax, the government supports Quebec institutions in their transition towards a lower-carbon economy. In addition to fostering our economy's recovery and sustainable development, this concrete measure, which is part of our 2013-2020 Action Plan on Climate Change, gives us the opportunity to work together on fighting climate change in order to ensure quality of life for our children. Let's do it for them!” added the Minister of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, David Heurtel.
“Our government recognizes the importance of investing in culture, which is the way to preserve our heritage and improve the quality of life of residents. The interpretation panels installed along the way under the Entente de développement culturel between Ville de Gatineau and the ministère de la Culture et des Communications, highlight Gatineau's history and heritage. They also serve as a reminder of the meanings of the names of the five new docks and the site's Aboriginal past,” noted the Minister of Culture and Communications, and Minister responsible for Protecting and Promoting the French Language, Luc Fortin. “With all of its improvements, rue Jacques-Cartier becomes a new signature, an artery that will make our city shine, and at the same time generate tourism, economic and social benefits for our region. I would like to underline the contributions of the different partners who worked closely on this major project for improving the shores of the Gatineau and Ottawa rivers,” added the member for Chapleau, Marc Carrière.
“I want to thank the merchants and residents for their cooperation and patience while the work was underway. Rue Jacques-Cartier is now a place from which one can even better appreciate the exceptional panorama offered by the rivers,” indicated Ms. Myriam Nadeau, Municipal Councillor for the Pointe-Gatineau district.
“This artery is situated in a historical part of the city. I am delighted that we were able to highlight this feature through the new amenities,” pointed out Mr. Michel Papineau, President of the Association des résidants de la rue Jacques-Cartier Est.
Associated links
Aménagement de la rue Jacques-Cartier National Capital Commission Images
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