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Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have issued a request for proposals (RFP) to the shortlisted teams to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Hurontario Light Rail Transit (LRT) project.

As we reported in June, IO and Metrolinx selected three teams for the project. The three teams were selected based on the criteria identified in a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process that began in October 2016. Selection criteria included design, construction, maintenance and operational experience, as well as the financial capacity to deliver a project of this size and scope.

The shortlisted teams and their prime team members are:

• Hurontario Light Rail Connection Partners (HLCP):  Acciona, Cintra, Ferrovial, Colas, RATP.
• Mobilinx: Astaldi Group, John Laing, Transdev, Ansaldo, Hitachi.
• Trillium Transit Partners: Kiewit, Meridiam Infrastructure North America II, Keolis, Bird.

The Hurontario LRT project includes:

• 20 kilometres of new dedicated rapid transit between Port Credit GO Station in Mississauga to the Gateway Terminal at Steeles Avenue in Brampton
• 22 surface stops with connections to GO Transit's Milton and Lakeshore West rail lines, Mississauga MiWay, Brampton Transit, and the Mississauga Transitway BRT
• A maintenance and storage facility for the light rail vehicles at Highway 407.

The shortlisted teams will be required to submit their proposals to this year after responding to the initial RFP. The contract is expected to be awarded next year.

Construction is anticipated to start also in 2018, with an estimated in-service date in 2022. The project has an estimated investment of araound CAD1.5 billion (US$1.13 billion).

Metrolinx president and CEO John Jensen said:

“The release of the RFP is a significant milestone and it brings the cities of Mississauga and Brampton one step closer to having light rail on the Hurontario corridor. The transformative, city-building project demonstrates Metrolinx’s commitment to bringing convenient and reliable transit in the region.”