October 31, 2014 – Québec City – The National Battlefields Commission
This morning The National Battlefields Commission chair Margaret F. Delisle officially opened Gilmour Hill by cutting the ribbon alongside the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and Québec City mayor Régis Labeaume. This road will open to motorists starting at 3 p.m. this afternoon.
This ribbon cutting marks the end of roadwork on Gilmour Hill—Phase I of the project, which will be followed in fall 2015 by the addition of a mixed-use interpretive trail.
Quick facts
- Phase I of the project involved resurfacing the road portion of Gilmour Hill and Avenue George VI between Boulevard Champlain and Avenue Montcalm. The work primarily included a complete resurfacing of the roadway, restoration of the stone retaining wall, installation of an underground drainage system, rehabilitation of intersections and parking lots, reconstruction of the lighting system, and other related improvements (signage, curbs, grass, etc.). Due to a stone supply issue, the wall coping will be completed in the spring. Sustainable development considerations were also part of the project. These included recovery of paving material, reuse of curbs and street lamps, and vegetation protection.
- Changes were also made to traffic patterns in order to better preserve a highly popular area of the park for families and sports lovers. In all seasons, vehicular traffic from Gilmour Hill will now get to Grande Allée via Avenue Montcalm, instead of passing in front of Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec. The City of Québec will be reprogramming traffic lights in order to avoid congestion in the park and improve flow.
- The cost of snow removal and winter maintenance for Gilmour Hill will be assumed by the City of Québec. New illuminated signs will be installed on Grande Allée and Boulevard Champlain to alert motorists to intermittent closures.
- The National Battlefields Commission authorized Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) for the Gilmour Hill rehabilitation (road and trail). PWGSC awarded the contract to Excavations Lafontaine Inc.
- The $8.2 million project announced August 2, 2013, by Prime Minister Stephen Harper called for the redevelopment of Gilmour Hill in order to improve urban traffic flow and allow the road to remain open in winter, as well as the creation of a mixed-use interpretive trail. In fall 2015 this trail will offer pedestrians and cyclists a safe route between Lower Town and Upper Town, allowing them to discover the rich history of the neighbouring sites thanks to interpretive panels in rest areas.
Quotes
“I congratulate the National Battlefields Commission on successfully completing the first phase of the Gilmour Hill redevelopment project. From now on, the Hill will be open to car traffic throughout the year, for the use of all Québec City residents and visitors. I look forward to the next step, in the fall of 2015, when we will open the multi-purpose interpretive path highlighting the history of Battlefields Park, one of the most important historic sites in Canada.”
The Honourable Shelly Glover
Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
“I would like to thank the Canadian government for supporting this important redevelopment project that allows the National Battlefields Commission to pursue its mission of preserving and developing the Plains of Abraham—a natural and historic heritage treasure. This two-phase project clearly demonstrates our desire and ability to work for the benefit of park users and Québec City area residents. When the new mixed-use interpretive trail is added a year from now, pedestrians and cyclists will also have a safe route that showcases the area’s history and minimizes the impacts on cliff vegetation and morphology. It’s a win for everyone.”
Margaret F. Delisle
Chair, National Battlefields Commission
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Nathalie Allaire
Outreach and Media Officer
Communications Division
The National Battlefields Commission
418-648-4801, nathalie.allaire@ccbn-nbc.gc.ca
www.theplainsofabraham.ca
