Gatineau city council is forging ahead with its new $230-million rapid transit plan, which is expected to begin service by fall of 2011.
Federal and provincial cabinet ministers joined Gatineau Mayor Marc Bureau for an official groundbreaking ceremony on Monday.
Bureau expects the project to transform the face of Gatineau, bringing economic growth to the region and creating almost 2,000 jobs.
The rapid transit plan includes a 17-kilometre route linking Lorraine Boulevard to downtown Gatineau.
Construction on the project -- which focuses on rapid bus transportation -- will begin between Alexandre-Tach� and Montcalm, and then continue on Allumetti�res.
Meanwhile, Ottawa city council continues to debate a multi-billion-dollar public transit plan for this city.
The first phase of the current plan includes building light rail from Blair Road to Tunney's Pasture. It also includes plans to construct a downtown tunnel to get rid of congestion in the city's core.
