Bidders shortlisted for new GO Transit rail maintenance facility

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

In Toronto, ON, Canada, Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario released a request for proposals to the three teams shortlisted to submit proposals to design, build, finance and maintain a new maintenance facility for GO Transit.

The new maintenance facility is part of Metrolinx’s plan to improve public transit in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. At more than 600,000 square feet, the East Rail maintenance facility will:

• Accommodate light and heavy train maintenance work

• Provide additional train storage to support GO Transit’s planned service expansions, such as two-way, all-day train service

• Provide daily maintenance for up to 22 12-car passenger trains

The project is expected to make public transit more reliable in the region and will support Metrolinx’s regional transportation plan, The Big Move.

During the past several months, numerous companies participated in a request for qualifications process that reviewed and evaluated their abilities in design, construction, facilities management and financing in order to deliver the new maintenance facility. From this process, the three highest-scoring companies were shortlisted and invited to respond to a request for proposals.

The shortlisted bidders include East Rail Development Group, Integrated Rail Partners and Plenary Infrastructure ERMF.

Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx will evaluate the submissions, select a preferred proposal and then negotiate a final contract. The company selected for the East Rail maintenance facility will pursue LEED Silver or greater designation by incorporating sustainable practices in its design and construction plans.

The entire procurement process is being overseen by a fairness monitor and the successful team will be announced in fall 2013.

The federal government will provide a portion of the funding for eligible construction costs and the province of Ontario and Metrolinx will be responsible for the remaining costs.

“Critical to the realization of The Big Move, the construction of the East Rail maintenance facility will increase our maintenance and storage capacity and enable more frequent and efficient GO Transit service to the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area,” said Bruce McCuaig, president and CEO of Metrolinx.

Tags: