PREFERRED BIDDER SELECTED FOR THE WINDSOR-ESSEX PARKWAY PROJECT

TORONTO, Nov. 5 /CNW/ - The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and Infrastructure Ontario today announced that The Windsor Essex Mobility Group is the preferred bidder selected to design, build, finance and maintain the Windsor-Essex Parkway.

Local workers will have a significant role to play in the construction of the Parkway, which will generate an estimated 12,000 direct and indirect project-related jobs - the majority of which will be in the Windsor-Essex region.

The selection of The Windsor Essex Mobility Group as the preferred bidder is the result of an open, fair and competitive procurement process. Throughout its bid, The Windsor Essex Mobility Group consistently demonstrated a clear understanding of best practices in designing and building the Parkway and involving local businesses in the project.  The consortium key members include: ACS Infrastructure Canada Inc., Acciona Concessions Canada, Fluor Canada Limited, Dragados Canada Inc and Acciona Infrastructure Canada Inc.

Infrastructure Ontario and MTO will begin negotiating contract details with the preferred bidder and expect to conclude negotiations in early 2011.

The government aims to achieve a Greenroads certification for the Windsor-Essex Parkway, which means it will be designed and constructed using more sustainable practices than is currently used.  The new 11-kilometre freeway will separate local and international traffic and eliminate stop-and-go traffic in residential areas. With more than 300 acres of green space, 20 kilometres of recreational trails and new community connections, residents in Windsor-Essex will enjoy an improved quality of life.

The project cost will be announced publicly following financial close in early 2011.

The province of Ontario is responsible for funding the Parkway. The federal government has committed to funding up to 50 percent of eligible capital for the Windsor-Essex Parkway.

The Windsor-Essex Parkway will remain publicly owned and publicly controlled.

MTO's goal is to be a world leader in moving people and goods safely, efficiently and sustainably, to support a globally competitive economy, a high quality of life and being responsible for all provincial highways.

Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown corporation dedicated to managing 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 Windsor-Essex Parkway is one of the largest highway investments in our province's history and it will play a vital role in economic growth and the creation of strong communities across Ontario"

• Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure

"Our government is committed to delivering the Windsor-Essex Parkway and improving the movement of traffic and goods through this key gateway. For the past 12 months staff has worked diligently to prepare for the start of full construction on the Parkway and today's news means we're one step closer."

• Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Transportation

"We're taking the next step to improve what is already one of the busiest border crossings in North America.  The Windsor-Essex Parkway will help ease traffic flow to the border, get trucks off local streets, and boost our local economy by generating an estimated 12,000 skilled trade jobs over the lifespan of the project."

• Dwight Duncan, MPP, Windsor-Tecumseh

"We're one step closer to seeing full construction begin on The Windsor-Essex Parkway and seeing our vision become reality.  The Parkway will be built using best practices for design and construction; and it will be constructed in a manner that is economically sound and respectful of the surrounding environment. "

• Sandra Pupatello, MPP, Windsor West

"This project reaffirms the government's commitment to creating employment opportunities in the region while updating and renewing vital infrastructure. The Parkway will improve the quality of life of residents living, working and playing in Windsor-Essex."

• Bruce Crozier, MPP, Essex

"This project will provide retraining to put people back to work, as well, it will create employment opportunities for skilled trades people in our community."

• Sol Furer, President of the Essex and Kent Counties Building and Construction Trades Council

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Backgrounder

THE WINDSOR-ESSEX PARKWAY WILL BOOST ECONOMY AND PROVIDE JOBS

The Windsor-Essex Parkway will provide a boost to the local and regional economies by directly and indirectly supporting the creation of jobs over the lifespan of the project. Infrastructure Ontario and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation have selected The Windsor Essex Mobility Group as the preferred bidder for contract negotiations.  The Windsor Essex Mobility Group is the highest ranking bidder, receiving the highest scores in all categories, including for technical, partnering approach, and cost.  The project cost will be finalized and publicized in January 2011.

The Windsor Essex Mobility Group is committed to partnering with local businesses during construction of the Parkway, which is reflected in its proposal.  The Windsor Essex Mobility Group plans to have agreements in place with: 

• local educational institutions to encourage collaboration for training and programs
• local unions to provide opportunities for members during construction
• First Nations to create business opportunities
• local sub contractors and suppliers for services and materials

Over the next several weeks, partnership details will be negotiated as part of the contract agreement with The Windsor Essex Mobility Group, and once finalized, they will be legally bound and obligated to their commitments.

The Windsor Essex Mobility Group also aims to:

• set up a project office in the community and recruit workers from the region. The majority of workers on site during construction are expected to come from the Windsor-Essex area. There will be additional economic spin-off activities that will benefit the entire region.
• invite suitable companies to submit proposals to provide supplies and equipment; in fact, the Windsor Essex Mobility Group already has agreements in place with several local companies to provide services for the project. 
• spend hundreds of millions of dollars on local labour and local supplies and materials over the lifespan of the project.

The Parkway will create and sustain many jobs for skilled and experienced construction trades workers such as: operating engineers, labourers, carpenters, electricians, landscapers, equipment operators, and truck drivers.  There will be business opportunities for local haulage companies and suppliers (i.e. cement, piping, etc), as well.

Construction of the full Windsor-Essex Parkway will begin in mid-2011.  The preferred bidder targets completion of the Parkway by the end of 2014. The construction schedule for the Parkway will be confirmed at financial close in the New Year.

Other infrastructure projects

Other Provincially-funded projects already are contributing to the Windsor-Essex economy and creating/sustaining thousands of jobs in the region:

•  In December 2009, Facca Construction Inc. of Essex began initial construction of two bridges and a noise barrier - components of The Windsor-Essex Parkway. The contract is $15.5 million.
• The Windsor Regional Hospital redevelopment project has been underway since June 2009.  Bondfield Construction was awarded the $91.6 million contract.  Approximately 125 workers are on site. The majority of workers come from the region.
• Construction of the Southwest Detention Centre will begin in 2011, bringing with it more opportunities to the region.
• Ontario and Canada continue to move forward on the $300 million Let's Get Windsor-Essex Moving strategy. Ontario's share is approximately $150 million. Through this strategy, projects totalling $220 million are completed or currently underway.

For further information:

Paulette den Elzen Infrastructure Ontario     416-327-5764

Heather Grondin Windsor Border Initiatives Implementation Group Ministry of Transportation 519-973-7359