Companies Invited to Submit Bids for Finch West LRT

TORONTO, Feb. 20, 2016 /CNW/ - Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have released a Request for Proposals to companies shortlisted to design, build, finance and maintain the Finch West Light Rail Transit (LRT) project.

The teams were selected based on criteria identified in the Request for Qualifications process that began in September 2015. Selection criteria included construction capability, experience, and financial capacity to deliver a project of this size and complexity.

The shortlisted teams are:

Humber Valley Transit Partners	Mosaic Transit Group	FACT Partners
Developers: SNC-Lavalin, Graham Contractors: SNC-Lavalin, Graham Service Provider: SNC-Lavalin, ACI Financial Advisor: National Bank, Scotia Capital	Developers: ACS, Aecon, CRH Contractors: ACS, Aecon, CRH Service Provider: ACS, Aecon, CRH Financial Advisor: RBC Capital Markets	Developers: EllisDon, Bechtel Contractors: EllisDon, Bechtel Service Provider: EllisDon, Bechtel, Herzog Transit Financial Advisor: EllisDon Capital

Highlights of the LRT project include:

• 11 kilometres of new, dedicated light rail transit between Humber College and the new Finch West Subway Station on the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension
• 16 surface stops, a below-grade terminus stop at Humber College, and an underground interchange station (Keele Street and Finch Avenue West) at the TTC's Finch West Subway Station
• A maintenance and storage facility for the light rail vehicles
• Other required components, such as trackworks, signaling, communications, and public realm infrastructure

Teams will spend most of 2016 preparing proposals that will detail how they will design, build and finance the project, as well as how they will maintain the LRT system for a 30-year period. As part of their proposals, teams must also demonstrate how they will support plans to increase apprenticeships and opportunities for local companies, as well as ensuring compliance with Metrolinx's design excellence and community benefit principles.

Once complete, in 2021, the new LRT line will help transform Finch Avenue West into a vibrant community accessible to motorists, transit riders, cyclists and pedestrians alike. The LRT service will also move more people faster through the busy Finch West corridor than the existing bus service and support economic growth and job creation in the region.

The project is being delivered using IO's Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) model, which transfers appropriate risks associated with design, construction, financing and maintenance of the project to the private sector.

Quotes:

Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation
"The Finch West LRT line will help create jobs and transform priority neighbourhoods along Finch Avenue West into vibrant communities accessible to motorists, transit riders, cyclists and pedestrians alike. The LRT service will move more people, faster than bus service today, through the busy Finch West corridor. It will also provide interregional connects through GO Transit bus services, as well as Mississauga and Brampton local bus services at Humber College.

Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure
"Growing the economy and creating jobs is the top priority for our government, and this includes building transportation infrastructure for Ontarians in all parts of the province. As part of our commitment to building modern, sustainable infrastructure, this government is investing in the Finch West LRT as a priority project. Our alternate financing procurement model allows us to deliver on key projects while maintaining fiscal responsibility. I look forward to getting the LRT up and running to better serve the people of Toronto and the Finch West corridor."

Bruce McCuaig, President and CEO, Metrolinx
"Once in service, the Finch West LRT line will increase the transit capacity by three times per trip as compared to the existing bus trip capacity today. This project forms part of the Government of Ontario's $8.4 billion (2010$) commitment to expand rapid transit in the City of Toronto, and is included in The Big Move, Metrolinx's regional transportation plan for Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA)."  

Bert Clark, President and CEO, Infrastructure Ontario
"IO is pleased to announce we have three strong teams vying for this AFP project. While they are under a tight schedule to prepare their bids, we are committed to getting the right team in place to start construction."

Quick Facts

• Finch West is the second LRT project being delivered in Toronto by Metrolinx and IO.
• Early works will begin in 2016, with the start of major construction expected in 2017.
• The Finch West LRT will remain publicly owned and the TTC will operate the line.
• Improving public transit across the GTHA is part of the government's plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes investing in people's talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province's history, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives and building a secure retirement savings plan.

Learn More

Infrastructure Ontario Metrolinx

Metrolinx's Regional Transportation Plan Moving Ontario Forward

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SOURCE Infrastructure Ontario

Image with caption: "Finch West LRT to deliver 11km of new, dedicated rapid transit in Toronto. Construction to start in 2017. Map courtesy of Metrolinx. (CNW Group/Infrastructure Ontario)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160220_C8600_PHOTO_EN_624717.jpg

Lisa DiMenna, Infrastructure Ontario, 416-326-9378; Anne Marie Aikins, Metrolinx, 416-202-5796