The corridor
The Rapibus is the first bus rapid transit (BRT) system to have seen the light of day in Québec. Since 2013, that corridor, exclusively reserved for buses, has linked the Taché-UQO and Labrosse stations.
Currently, 12 Rapibus stations provide easier access to different educational, work and entertainment hubs.
Extension of the Rapibus to boulevard de l'Aéroport
Completed in December 2024 and prepared in collaboration with CIMA+, the opportunity study helped identify and analyze the needs and constraints of this additional section and demonstrate its pertinence, while taking into account current and future mobility needs.
Two public consultations were held as part of this study, one in December 2022 and another in June 2023.
Study conclusions:
- The chosen scenario is the extension of the Rapibus north of the railway tracks, without moving the rails, with a multifunctional path to the south. In the first consultation, 84% of respondents were in favour or highly in favour of this scenario.
- The 3.9 km route will include a two-way lane reserved for buses. Two new Rapibus stations (Galion and Cheval-Blanc) as well as a station and a large park-and-ride (Boulevard de l’Aéroport) will be added to the Corridor.
- Before the opening of this new section, a major reorganization of public transit services will take place in this area. The public will be consulted in due time and place.
The next steps:
Project planning phase:
- It should take place over a period of 4 years.
- It will start when we receive the official confirmations.
- It includes the preliminary project and the detailed design of plans and specifications.
- A third public consultation and information sessions are also planned.
Construction phase:
- About 3 years will be needed to build the section, the infrastructure (e.g., stations, park-and-ride lots, bridge) as well as the mitigation measures (e.g., fences, noise barriers).
- This project, with a total value of just over $143 million, is therefore expected, according to current projections, to be completed over the next 7 years.
To carry out this study, we worked in collaboration with:
- The City of Gatineau;
- The Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable du Québec;
- The National Capital Commission; and
- The Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais.
Additional section to boulevard Lorrain
The second phase of the extension of the Rapibus corridor was inaugurated in August 2023. This 2.8 km additional section runs along the existing train tracks and links the Labrosse and Lorrain stations, passing by the Lac-Beauchamp station.
Several environmental measures were implemented to reduce as much as possible the impact of the construction work on the natural environments.
