Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have announced that progress to build and finance the Lakeshore East - East Corridor Expansion project continues with the prequalification of five teams. The infrastructure upgrades are required to accommodate the planned expansion of GO Transit rail service on the Lakeshore East line.

Teams were selected based on criteria identified in the Request for Qualification (RFQ) process including, applicable construction experience and capacity to finance a project of this size and complexity.

The prequalified teams are:

• EllisDon Infrastructure Transit (EDIT)
  • Constructor: EllisDon Civil
  • Financial Advisor: EllisDon Capital
• Regional Rail Construction Partners (RRCP)
  • Constructor: Kenaidan, Obayashi, Bot, and Brennan
  • Financial Advisor: Rocklyn Capital Inc.
• Golden Horseshoe Infrastructure Partnership
  • Constructor: Ferrovial Agroman Canada Inc and Coco Paving Inc.
  • Financial Advisor: TD Securities Inc.
• Steel Head Construction
  • Constructor: Aecon and Dufferin Construction Company
  • Financial Advisor: Scotiabank
• Graham Commuter Rail Solutions
  • Constructor: Graham Construction
  • Financial Advisor: Graham Capital Partners

It is expected that the prequalified teams will be invited to respond to a Request for Proposals (RFP) in fall 2017.

This project is part of Metrolinx's work in support of GO Regional Express Rail (RER). GO RER will provide faster, more frequent and more convenient transit service across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), including electrification of core segments of the GO rail network by 2024-25. The program will provide new travel choices for commuters, significantly increase transit ridership, cut journey times and help manage congestion across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

Major infrastructure updates are required to bring this level of service to communities across the region, including: adding track, modifying GO stations, improving rail crossings, building required systems for electrification and adding new locomotives and train control systems.