Redevelopment of the Aquarium du Québec parking lots
Aquarium du Québec is proposing a parking lot redevelopment project that is well integrated into the environment and that promotes public and active transportation along with the safety of visitors, featuring a visual signature worthy of a gateway to the national capital.
Frequently asked questions
Our team has put together a list of the most frequently asked questions about this project. Your answer may already be right here.
If you cannot find the information you are looking for in this FAQ, please email us at aquarium@sepaq.com.
- Why are you expanding the Aquarium's parking lot?
- It’s not an expansion but a redevelopment. In fact, even after the work, Aquarium du Québec will lose 200 parking spaces, a 20% reduction of its current capacity.
The redevelopment is made necessary by the major construction site of the bridgehead to be completed by the Ministère des Transports du Québec, which will permanently deprive the Aquarium of a significant part of the land it uses for parking.
- It’s not an expansion but a redevelopment. In fact, even after the work, Aquarium du Québec will lose 200 parking spaces, a 20% reduction of its current capacity.
- How many times a year will the parking lot be full?
- We estimate that the proposed 800 parking spaces will be used to capacity for more than three months of the year, or just under 100 days, spread out over different periods (Christmas and New Years holidays, breaks, statutory holidays, weekends, summer vacation, etc.).
- Did you analyze other options than the project presented?
- The option of a parking deck was considered. However, this choice would not only add to the cost of the project, but also be more intrusive with respect to the landscape than the option that’s better integrated with the topography of the parking lot as proposed.
The shuttle option was also analyzed, but there’s no high capacity year-round parking available within a reasonable distance.
- The option of a parking deck was considered. However, this choice would not only add to the cost of the project, but also be more intrusive with respect to the landscape than the option that’s better integrated with the topography of the parking lot as proposed.
- How does redevelopment support sustainable mobility?
- The project includes a widening of Avenue des Hôtels that will allow for safe bicycle and pedestrian access, as well as space for municipal buses. This will promote active and collective transportation from a sustainable mobility perspective.
The parking lot will also be able to accommodate 80 bicycles, and 20 spaces with charging stations for electric vehicles are also in the works.
- The project includes a widening of Avenue des Hôtels that will allow for safe bicycle and pedestrian access, as well as space for municipal buses. This will promote active and collective transportation from a sustainable mobility perspective.
- How does redevelopment make the sector safer?
- The widening of Avenue des Hôtels allows for the development of distinct lanes for different users according to their mode of transportation (pedestrian, cyclist, motorist, public transit user), which the current configuration does not offer.
- What are you going to do to compensate for the tree removal required to complete the project?
- Under the circumstances, Aquarium du Québec has no choice but to redevelop its parking lot within the existing space on its property. Most of the woodland is preserved. We’ll replant at least one new tree for every tree that must be cut down. In the end, the vegetated area of the sector, including the trees and various plants in the landscaping, will be 29% larger than it is now.
Sépaq is fully aware of the ecological importance of green spaces in an urban environment. The project has been designed with this balance in mind. Thus, the number of parking spaces will be reduced from 1,013 to 810, and green spaces will be maximized.
- Under the circumstances, Aquarium du Québec has no choice but to redevelop its parking lot within the existing space on its property. Most of the woodland is preserved. We’ll replant at least one new tree for every tree that must be cut down. In the end, the vegetated area of the sector, including the trees and various plants in the landscaping, will be 29% larger than it is now.
- Will the redevelopment project have an impact on the quality of life of the Aquarium’s neighbours?
- A wooded strip of land (approximately 20 metres) remains between the closest houses and the additional parking lot that will be built. Special attention will be paid to ensure that this vegetated strip is as dense and opaque as possible.
The additional parking lot will only be used on busy days. Otherwise, it will remain inaccessible. This extra space will also be paved so as to limit noise and dust. Also, the paving of the P2 parking lot will make it less noisy and dusty than it is now.
- A wooded strip of land (approximately 20 metres) remains between the closest houses and the additional parking lot that will be built. Special attention will be paid to ensure that this vegetated strip is as dense and opaque as possible.
- Why didn't you carry out a wide-ranging public consultation beforehand?
- We’ve been working on the file to find the best option under the circumstances. We’re well aware that a project of this nature may raise concerns and that a consensus will be difficult to reach. We’ve taken into consideration the environmental and good neighbour issues to arrive at what we believe is the most satisfactory option in the context.
It must also be taken into consideration that the work has to be completed so as not to interfere with the major redevelopment of the bridgehead to be carried out by the Ministère des Transports du Québec.
- We’ve been working on the file to find the best option under the circumstances. We’re well aware that a project of this nature may raise concerns and that a consensus will be difficult to reach. We’ve taken into consideration the environmental and good neighbour issues to arrive at what we believe is the most satisfactory option in the context.
