OTTAWA, March 30, 2012 /CNW/ - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today announced that the Government of Canada has issued a request for proposals to retain expert financial, technical and engineering services for the construction of the new bridge for the St. Lawrence.
With an estimated $20 billion in international trade crossing the Champlain Bridge annually, this corridor is important for the regional economy and also benefits the national economy. The safety and security of the people crossing the Champlain Bridge every day are a top priority for the Government of Canada. Since 2009, the government has announced significant investments totalling $380 million to continue to keep this important bridge safe for all who use it. For more information about the new bridge for the St. Lawrence, please visit www.tc.gc.ca/nbfsl.
"The new bridge for the St. Lawrence is important for Canada's economic prosperity," said Minister Lebel. "Today, I am pleased to officially launch the next phase of the project to build this bridge. The business case represents an essential part of the planning process for the construction of the new bridge. At the same time, we are continuing to work on the environmental component and to ensure the safety of this vital crossing."
Through this request for proposals, expert financial, technical and engineering services will be retained to conduct an in-depth analysis of the preferred method for procurement and construction of the bridge. These services also include the development of traffic and revenue forecasts, as well as preliminary engineering work to identify possible options and their costs.
The request for proposals is posted on the Government Electronic Tendering Service known as MERX (www.merx.com) and the contracting process is managed by Public Works and Government Services Canada. The contract award is expected to be announced at the beginning of June 2012.
The Draft Federal Environmental Guidelines for this project are available under the heading "Scope of Factors" at www.ceaa.gc.ca/050/document-eng.cfm?document=54797. To provide your comments on the project, visit www.ceaa.gc.ca/050/document-eng.cfm?document=54535 by April 4, 2012.
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
and Minister of the Economic Development Agency
of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
Ottawa
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
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