MOVING FORWARD ON A NEW AIR RAIL LINK BETWEEN TORONTO'S UNION STATION AND
TORONTO PEARSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Request for qualifications issued for the Air Rail Link Spur

TORONTO, Nov. 26 /CNW/ - On behalf of Metrolinx, Infrastructure Ontario released a request for qualifications (RFQ) today to pre-qualify and short-list teams to design, build and finance a new three-kilometre rail spur for the Air Rail Link (ARL) and a new ARL passenger station at Toronto Pearson International Airport.  The rail spur will branch off the Weston Subdivision (from the GO Georgetown South Corridor) and connect to Toronto Pearson International Airport at Terminal 1 (T1).

Beginning in 2015, in time for the Pan/Parapan American Games, the Air Rail Link will provide a premium passenger rail service between Canada's two busiest transportation hubs - Union Station and Toronto Pearson. The ARL will be owned and operated by Metrolinx.

Trains will depart to and from Union Station and Toronto Pearson every 15 minutes with stops at the Bloor and Weston GO stations. The service is expected to eliminate 1.2 million car trips in the first year of operation.

This premium rail service will make it quicker and easier for people to travel between the city's downtown core and its international gateway. The project will encourage economic growth for businesses and communities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) by creating jobs in design and construction, easing traffic congestion on our roads and reducing air pollution.

The RFQ, available at www.merx.com, is the first step in a competitive process to select a team to deliver the ARL rail spur and new T1 station. RFQ submissions will be evaluated by Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx. Together, they will pre-qualify and short-list project teams with design and construction experience, as well as the financial strength and capacity to deliver the project. Short-listed teams will be invited to respond to a request for proposal (RFP) in early 2011.

Metrolinx, the province's regional transportation agency for the GTHA, has been asked by the Government of Ontario to build, own and operate the new premium rail service from Union Station to Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Infrastructure Ontario is working with Metrolinx on procurement and delivery of the ARL spur line and T1 station components under Infrastructure Ontario's Alternative Financing and Procurement Model, which transfers risks associated with designing, constructing, and financing infrastructure projects to the private sector.

Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown corporation dedicated to delivering some of the province's larger and more complex infrastructure renewal projects - ensuring they are built on time and on budget. As well, it is dedicated to providing the public sector and not-for-profit organizations with long-term financing to renew their infrastructure. 

Quotes:
"The Government of Ontario is making it more convenient for residents, businesses and travellers by creating a transit link between Toronto Pearson and Toronto's downtown core. This project will benefit our economy, our environment and our quality of life. "
Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure

"Our government is committed to opening the Air Rail Link from Union Station to Toronto Pearson in time for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games. The Air Rail Link will offer a quick and convenient transit option to reduce congestion, create jobs and boost Ontario's economy."
Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Transportation

"The Air Rail Link is a signature project for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area that will provide a great new transportation option between our nation's two busiest transportation hubs. Metrolinx has already begun the work to deliver this vital service to Toronto and the GTHA in time for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games."
Bruce McCuaig, President and CEO, Metrolinx

"We are very pleased that this project continues to move closer to reality," said Lloyd McCoomb, President and CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority.  "We are eager to be able to connect Toronto Pearson to the downtown core and give our airport guests the ability to travel comfortably and reliably between the airport and Union Station.  This is a critical piece of the transportation equation for our region, good for the environment and Ontario's global competitiveness."
Lloyd McCoomb, President and CEO, Greater Toronto Airports Authority

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For further information:

Paulette den Elzen Infrastructure Ontario 416-327-5764

Vanessa Thomas Media Relations Metrolinx 416-874-5974

Katherine King Minister's Office, Ministry of Transportation 416-327-9134