La Grande Alliance Feasibility Study Phase 1: Transportation Infrastructure

The Vision Eeyou Istchee Consortium, which consists of SYSTRA, Stantec and Desfor, has been mandated by the Cree Development Corporation (CDC) to carry out the feasibility study for Phase 1 of the La Grande Alliance’s infrastructure projects in Northern Quebec.

The study is part of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Cree-Quebec Sustainable Infrastructure Development Program in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay Region.

The Consortium conducts a study to evaluate the feasibility of the following infrastructure, in close collaboration with local communities and in accordance with sustainable development objectives:

• Upgrades to the access roads linking the Cree communities of Waskaganish, Eastmain and Wemindji to the Billy-Diamond Highway;
• Upgrade to the access road between the Cree community of Nemaska and the Route du Nord;
• A railway line following, as much as possible, the Billy-Diamond Highway between the town of Matagami and KM257 of the Highway;
• The recommissioning of the railway line between Grevet (Lebel-sur-Quévillon) and Chapais;
• Trans-shipment areas along the Billy-Diamond Highway and the Grevet-Chapais railway corridors, specifically one located at KM257.

Six Tasks are required from the joint venture under this mandate:

• Task 1 – Background research, strategy planning and project management which includes requirements for high level of interaction with Cree communities / Community Information Officers (CIOs) through Liaison Officer(s) appointed by the Consultant.