Modernization of Rest Stops and Service Areas

VILLEROY, QC, July 19, 2018 – The network of Quebec roadside parks will get a fresh new look with the modernization of two rest stops and two service centres over the next few years. The target locations are in Villeroy, Lavaltrie, the Réserve Faunique de La Vérendrye and in Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle. Road users will be able to make safe stops in attractive locations that meet their needs while meeting the goal of combatting fatigue and distractions while driving. Close to 33.5 million dollars will be invested in the completion of these projects.

The Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification, André Fortin, made the announcement yesterday and unveiled the new architectural concept on the future sites. The work will begin in autumn for the Villeroy rest stop and should be completed during the summer of 2019. The renovation of the building at the Jardins-de-Napierville rest stop on autoroute 15 will be done by 2020.

The construction of the new building housing basic services at the Point-du-Jour service centre in Lavaltrie, on Autoroute 40, will begin in the spring of 2019 and will continue through to the end of fall 2019. The work on the du Domaine service center in the Réserve faunique de La Vérendrye, on Route 117 will be finished by 2020.

These modernized rest stops will offer free basic services 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, without any obligation to make a purchase. These services include drinking water, access to restrooms, a room for breastfeeding, an interior rest area and outdoor recreational facilities. Truck drivers will also find larger parking areas and will have showers available to them. The addition of two texting and WiFi areas will be included where access to technology is possible, as will access to charging stations for electric vehicles. Should there be market interest, a wider commercial offering (restaurants, service station, convenience store) will be added to the infrastructures.

Quotes:

I am convinced that these changes will satisfy road users’ needs. We will offer more modern rest stops, which will meet the needs of families and truck drivers, in particular in terms of safety and the variety of available services.

– André Fortin, Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification

The network of rest stops ensures increased safety on Quebec roads by allowing drivers to make a stop and access services. The government is pursuing this objective with the modernization of its network of rest stops, including the Villeroy location, which is the most visited in the Centre-du-Québec region with close to 4 000 passing through daily during the high season, which is why updating the infrastructures is so important.

– Laurent Lessard, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister responsible for the Centre-du-Québec region 

Quick Facts:

• The Quebec network of roadside parks is made up of rest stops, service areas, tourist villages, rest areas for truck drives and gazebos.
• The modernized buildings will be LEED certified.