Mobilinx Hurontario General Partnership has been awarded a contract worth C$4.6bn ($3.5bn) by Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Hurontario Light Rail Transit (LRT) project in the Toronto region.
The Mobilinx team comprises applicant lead (John Laing, Astaldi, Hitachi, Transdev, Amico Concessions, Salini Impregilo); construction (Astaldi, Hitachi, Amico, Bot, Salini Impregilo); design (IBI Group, Hitachi, Morrison Hershfield, Arcadis, Daoust Lestage, Exp Services); operation maintenance and rehabilitation provider (Transdev, Hitachi, Astaldi, Salini Impregilo); and financial advisor (National Bank, HSBC).
The Hurontario LRT project includes the construction of 18km of new rapid transit between Port Credit GO Station in Mississauga to the Gateway Terminal at Steeles Avenue in Brampton. The project will include 19 stops with connections to GO Transit’s Milton and Lakeshore West rail lines, Mississauga MiWay, Brampton Transit, Züm, and the Mississauga Transitway BRT at Square One.
A maintenance and storage facility is also planned to be constructed south of Highway 407 and west of Kennedy Road for the light rail vehicles. Mobilinx expects the contract to create approximately 800 jobs during the construction phase of the project, which is planned to be completed in 2024.
Salini Impregilo chief executive Pietro Salini said: “We are pleased to return to Canada with our global expertise to help the province of Ontario expand its public transport network to benefit residents and commuters alike.
“The Hurontario LRT project in Ontario is the latest in our drive to expand in North America, where the United States represents our single biggest market by revenue.”
The LRT, which will be operated and maintained by Mobilinx for a 30-year period, will be publicly owned by Metrolinx.
In addition to providing reliable and comfortable journey to passengers, the project is expected to reduce traffic congestion, greenhouse gases, fuel consumption, daily travel time, and the number of buses travelling along Hurontario Street.
