Inauguration of the new Pointe-Benson Park: a new $18 million “identity site” in Lévis

After three years of delay and at a cost twice as high as initially planned, the new Pointe-Benson park was officially inaugurated on Wednesday, replacing an open-air parking lot that had long bordered the Saint-Laurent in old Saint-Romuald.

For several days now, residents visiting the river path at Pointe Benson have been able to enjoy new facilities, which include water features, a historical interpretation trail, a belvedere and trails offering spectacular views of the river and Quebec City.

From an initial concept estimated at $9 million in 2017, costs ultimately rose to $18 million. An initial call for tenders, quickly canceled to better curb rising costs, had risen to $22 million.

After consulting the population, the City of Lévis decided to completely reconfigure the street that passed through the site.

"The reconfiguration of the street has made it possible to double the surface area of the park," noted Mayor Gilles Lehouillier at a press conference.

The retaining walls of the quay along the river have also undergone significant repair work, so that the area could eventually be used for river shuttles with Île d'Orléans or Côte de Beaupré, as the CAQ had suggested during the last election campaign.

A legacy from Mayor Lehouillier

Despite the increased costs, the Quebec government's contribution remained unchanged at $7 million. The City of Lévis must therefore assume the remainder.

Present for the occasion, the Minister of Infrastructure and Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region, Jonatan Julien, emphasized that the final budget respects what was approved in 2023 for this "fantastic site."

Before proceeding with the official ribbon cutting, the mayor of Lévis emphasized that the new Pointe-Benson park is intended to be a "place of identity" for the people of Lévis, as is now the one in the Traverse sector with the Paquet wharf.

"Our place of identity, before, was the Galeries Chagnon," Mr. Lehouillier joked.

At his side, "today's opening is part of your legacy," emphasized the minister responsible for the Chaudière-Appalaches region, Bernard Drainville.

"Today, we are adding to the quality of life in Lévis," said the Lévis MP.

Two other major projects

The two ministers promised that the government would be there to analyze and implement other similar projects that have been in the pipeline for several years along the river.

Mayor Lehouillier notably mentioned the reconstruction, for pedestrians and cyclists, of the old Garneau Bridge, which overhung the Chaudière River near the Quebec Bridge, until its demolition in 1955.

"We received the good news today," said Mr. Lehouillier, recounting that Mr. Julien and Mr. Drainville confirmed to him before the ceremony that they would entrust the National Capital Commission of Quebec with the mandate to conceptualize, with the City of Lévis, a footbridge project on the site of the former Garneau Bridge. The same goes for the Chevalier-de-Lévis terrace, opposite the Château Frontenac.