Request For Proposals Released: Improving Public Transit In the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area 

TORONTO - Metrolinx, the Ontario government and Infrastructure Ontario are moving forward with the Air Rail Link project with the release of a request for proposals (RFP) to the four teams short-listed to build the new three-kilometre rail line for the Air Rail Link (ARL) and a new ARL passenger station project.  

The ARL will provide an express rail service between Canada's two busiest transportation hubs - Toronto Union Station and Toronto Pearson International Airport in time for the TO2015 Pan/Parapan Am Games. The service is expected to eliminate 1.2 million car trips in the first year of operation.

The rail line extension will branch off from the GO Georgetown rail corridor and connect to Toronto Pearson, with a new passenger station at Terminal 1 (T1) parking structure. 

Over the past few months, teams from all over the world participated in a rigorous competitive request for qualifications (RFQ) process that reviewed their abilities to design, construct, and finance the rail line extension and T1 station. From this process, seven teams pre-qualified for the project and the four highest scoring ones have been short-listed to submit proposals.   

The short-listed bidders include: 

  • AirLink Group  
  • SNC Lavalin

AirLINX Transit Partners:  

  •  Aecon Construction and Materials Ltd.
  • Dufferin Construction Company 

Pearson Express:  

  • Flatiron Constructors Canada  
  • Laing O'Rourke

Toronto Railway Airport Consortium (T.R.A.C.):  

  • EllisDon Corporation   
  • ACS Infrastructure Canada
  • Fengate 

Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx will evaluate the RFP submissions, select a preferred proposal, and then negotiate a final contract. The entire process will be overseen by a fairness monitor and the successful team will be announced in early 2012. A copy of the RFP is available at www.infrastructureontario.ca.

Infrastructure Ontario is working with Metrolinx on procurement and delivery of the ARL line extension and T1 station components under Infrastructure Ontario's Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) model, which will transfer risks associated with designing, constructing, and financing this project to the private sector.  

Metrolinx is an agency of the Province of Ontario. The Air Rail Link will be owned and operated by Metrolinx.  The Air Rail Link project is just one way Metrolinx is working to transform the regional transportation system in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas. 

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: 

Kathleen Wynne, Ontario Minister of Transportation  
“Our government is committed to expanding transit across the GTHA in order to reduce congestion and emissions and give people more choice in how they get around.  I'm pleased that we're moving forward to deliver this important service. Starting in 2015, in time for the Pan/Parapan Am Games, we will have passenger rail service linking our busiest hubs - Union Station to Toronto Pearson International Airport.” 

Bob Chiarelli, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure  
“The McGuinty government's investments in public transit are part of our Open Ontario plan to strengthen our economy and to create more jobs and opportunities across the province.  The Air Rail Link will be an important addition to the transit infrastructure, providing travellers in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area with an efficient option for travelling to and from the airport.” 

Bruce McCuaig, President and CEO, Metrolinx  
“The progress we are making on this project provides another example of how Metrolinx is fulfilling its commitment to build transit network commuters can rely on. The Air Rail Link, a priority project in the Regional Transportation Plan, will help to reduce congestion and boost the economy.” 

Lloyd McCoomb, President and CEO, Greater Toronto Airports Authority  
“We are very pleased that this project continues to move forward.  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. The Air Rail Link provides a much needed transportation alternative that will benefit travelers, citizens of the region, the environment and the economy.” 

Contacts:  

Paulette den Elzen
Infrastructure Ontario
416-327-5764

Vanessa Thomas
Media Relations, Metrolinx
416-874-5974

Katherine King,
Ministry of Transportation
416-327-9134

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