Inauguration of the Plains of Abraham Trail: Last phase of the Gilmour Hill redevelopment project completed
News Release
May 5, 2016 – Québec – The National Battlefields Commission
This morning, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Mayor of Québec, Régis Labeaume, and The National Battlefields Commission Chair, Margaret F. Delisle, inaugurated the Plains of Abraham Trail.
This symbolic gesture completes the Gilmour Hill redevelopment project announced in August 2013. The project, split into two inseparable phases (road and trail), was completed on time and within the allotted budget of $8.2 million.
Quick facts
- The trail covering more than one kilometre is set in natural surroundings independent of road infrastructure and focuses on the beauty and history of the premises with its rest areas and interpretive panels. The winding path, with a more moderate slope than Gilmour Hill, is designed to facilitate pedestrian and cyclist traffic. The Plains of Abraham Trail is groomed in winter, lit year round, and a safe and popular route for park users between Promenade Samuel-de-Champlain and Upper Town Québec.
- Prior to the official inauguration of the Plains of Abraham Trail, the NBC announced last December that the multi-use interpretive trail would be open to pedestrians and cyclists.
- In February 2015, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), responsible for the Gilmour Hill redevelopment project (two phases), launched a call for tenders for the completion of work to develop the new Plains of Abraham Trail. Following an open and transparent competitive process, PSPC awarded the contract to Les Constructions Bé-Con inc. to build a safe and accessible path for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Note that the purpose of the $8.2 million project announced by the Government of Canada on August 2, 2013 was to redevelop Gilmour Hill to improve urban traffic flow in the sector, open the hill to traffic in winter and create a multi-purpose interpretive trail. The trail offers a safe route for pedestrians and cyclists between Lower Town and Upper Town, allowing them to discover the rich history of neighbouring premises through interpretative panels located in the rest areas.
Quotes
“I congratulate the National Battlefields Commission on having completed a project that does such a great job of highlighting the historic and natural heritage of this exceptional site. The Plains of Abraham Trail will allow the park’s users to learn more about our history while travelling on a safe path.”
The Honourable Mélanie Joly
Minister of Canadian Heritage
“Public Services and Procurement Canada is proud to have contributed to the Gilmour Hill trail development project. Québec City residents and visitors to this historic city now have a trail suitable for walking and cycling through the Plains of Abraham site, in both summer and winter.”
The Honourable Judy M. Foote
Minister of Public Services and Procurement
“I would like to thank the Government of Canada for supporting this important two-phase project (road and trail) that has allowed the National Battlefields Commission to pursue its mission of preserving and developing the Plains of Abraham ― a natural and historic heritage treasure. This project, completed on time and within the allotted budget, clearly demonstrates our desire and ability to work for the benefit of park users and Québec City area residents. The Plains of Abraham Trail now allows pedestrians and cyclists to share a safe route that showcases the area’s history and minimizes environmental impacts.
I join all the staff at the Commission in highlighting the exceptional contribution of André Beaudet, Secretary-Director General for the NBC from 2009 to 2015, to this project of great importance to him. He left us suddenly, December last, and he would have been thrilled to celebrate with us, the successful outcome of this huge endeavour that he oversaw with passion and conviction.”
Margaret F. Delisle
The National Battlefields Commission Chair
Related links
- Work on the Plains of Abraham Trail Completed – December 1, 2015
- Work to start soon on new mixed-use interpretive trail – April 2, 2015
- Gilmour Hill to Be Open Year-Round – October 31, 2014
- The Prime Minister announced the opening of Gilmour Hill year round – August 2, 2013
- National Battlefields Commission: Work – Gilmour Hill
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Information:
Nathalie Allaire
Outreach and Media Officer
Communications Division
National Battlefields Commission
418 648-4801, nathalie.allaire@ccbn-nbc.gc.ca
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