The cost of the major repair of the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine tunnel now amounts to around 2.5 billion, up from 970 million, a higher amount than anticipated.
The Ministry of Transport made the announcement in a press release on Monday evening. This new amount includes an increase in the contract of the contractor responsible for the work, Renouveau La Fontaine (RLF).
Recall that in July 2020, the Ministry announced the signing of a $1.142 billion contract with RLF for the design, construction and financing of the repair of the tunnel, a project whose total cost was then estimated at $1.426 billion.
However, the structure turned out to be much more deteriorated than expected. The vault, for example, then showed 60% more damage than anticipated, according to what the Minister responsible for Transport at the time, François Bonnardel, indicated.
Quebec had undertaken to absorb all cost overruns, which were then estimated at 900 million.
“The revised cost announced today includes the amounts required for additional interventions, costs related to the extension of the site and the improved mitigation measures,” the ministry said Monday.
The work should be completed in 2026.
