Infrastructure Ontario, Metrolinx issue RFP for Hurontario light-rail project

Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx late last week issued a request for proposals (RFP) to three teams to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Hurontario light-rail project.

The agencies in October 2016 released a request for qualifications to identify firms interested in leading the project. IO and Metrolinx picked the top three teams based on their construction, design, operation and maintenance capabilities, as well as their financial capacity.

The agencies in June4 picked the three firms to bid on the project. The three teams are:
• Hurontario Light Rail Connection Partners, which includes Arup Canada Inc. and RATP Dev Canada Inc.;
• Mobilinx, which includes Hitachi-Ansaldo, Transdev and Arcadis; and
• Trillium Transit Partners, which includes Kiewit, Keolis, STV and Stantec Consulting.

After IO and Metrolinx receive the teams' proposals, the agencies expect to award the contract for the project in 2018. Construction is expected to start that year, with service slated to begin in 2022, IO officials said in a press release.

The 12.4-mile Hurontario light-rail project will feature 22 stops and connect to GO Transit's Milton and Lakeshore West rail lines. The line will run through Mississauga and Brampton, Ontario.

The project also calls for building a maintenance and storage facility for light-rail vehicles at Highway 407. The light-rail line is estimated to cost CA$1.4 billion to build, The Mississauga News reported.