Confederation Line Project Takes Gold at 16th Annual National Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships

TORONTO, Nov. 1, 2013 /CNW/ - The Confederation Line is a major component in Ottawa's plan to improve transit in the nation's capital. The public-private partnership has become a template for other transit projects in Canada and is receiving a Gold Award for Transportation Innovation as part of the 16^th annual Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships' (CCPPP) Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships.

By combining a major LRT build with the widening of Highway 417, Ottawa is taking a giant step towards the achievement of its master transport plan - with minimal disruption to its downtown core and significant savings over the traditional approach. It will eliminate a downtown bottleneck that has frustrated commuters for years and provide the convenience and efficiency of three underground stations in the core of the city.

The performance-based contract with Rideau Transit Group will generate $3.2 billion in economic activity and 20,000 person-years of employment during construction alone. When it comes into service, the Confederation Line will generate approximately $16 million in annual operating savings and will reduce the City's fuel consumption by 10 million litres of diesel a year.

The Confederation Line will offer the public safe, comfortable, reliable, fast and pleasant transit in an environment that showcases both heritage and new public art. It is the centerpiece of a new investment strategy for public transit in Ottawa. Infrastructure Ontario was an advisor and played a lead role in procurement for the project.

"This project will make a huge contribution to the Greater Ottawa Area," said Mark Romoff, President and CEO, CCPPP. "Once finished, it will increase transit ridership, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion, while improving accessibility, creating jobs and stimulating economic development. It's an inspiration to the P3 community across Canada."

The award will be presented on November 7^th at The Council's annual conference. The gathering attracts major players from across Canada and around the world, where the Canadian P3 approach is considered best in class.

About the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships: Established in 1993, CCPPP is a national not-for-profit, non-partisan, member-based organization with broad representation from across the public and private sectors. Its mission is to promote innovative approaches to infrastructure development and service delivery through public-private partnerships with all levels of government. The Council is a proponent of evidence-based public policy in support of P3s, facilitates the adoption of international best practices, and educates stakeholders and the community on the economic and social benefits of public-private partnerships. The Council organizes an annual conference that is recognized internationally as the premier forum bringing together senior government and business leaders in the P3 community at which the most successful Canadian public-private partnerships are celebrated through CCPPP's National Awards for Innovation and Excellence.

SOURCE: Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships

For more information about CCPPP contact:  

Mark Romoff, President and CEO, CCPPP
416-861-0500
[email protected]

For Media Enquiries contact: 

Chris Allicock
416-694-3131 (o)
416-319-8003 (c)
[email protected]