TORONTO — The Ontario government has issued two separate requests for qualifications (RFQ) for different components of Toronto’s massive Ontario Line subway project with a third yet to come, meaning the subway will be built under three separate public-private partnership (P3) contracts.
Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney unveiled the first two P3 procurement packages June 2. The first two RFQs issued will include, respectively, rolling stock systems, an operations and maintenance contract for the entire line; and a design-build-finance contract for the southern portion of the Ontario Line.
A third RFQ, for the northern civil package, will be released once the successful proponent for the southern civil package is identified, stated a release.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is taking historic steps to expand subway service and reduce traffic congestion across the GTA,” said Mulroney. “By issuing these first RFQs we are one step closer to realizing our transit vision and helping to generate economic activity and create tens of thousands of jobs as the province recovers from COVID-19.”
The 15.5-kilometre Ontario Line will extend from Exhibition/Ontario Place to the Ontario Science Centre. Current plans include 15 potential stations, including 17 new multi-modal connections to GO Transit, existing TTC subway stations and streetcar lines, and the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit line.
“Investments in infrastructure projects, like the Ontario Line, will be essential for getting people back to work and improving the quality of life for people throughout the GTA,” said Kinga Surma, associate minister of transportation (GTA). “To build projects of this magnitude, however, we need everyone at the table. We are calling on the federal government to commit to paying their fair share, at least 40 per cent of the four nationally significant subway projects.”
Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx will evaluate RFQ submissions and shortlist teams to be invited to respond to a request for proposals in fall 2020.
“The Ontario Line is one of the most significant transit infrastructure projects for Ontario in a generation,” said Minister of Infrastructure Laurie Scott. “Moving forward with these procurement contracts signals the government remains committed to building much-needed transit infrastructure to reduce congestion and contribute to the economic recovery and renewal of our province.”
In addition to the three P3 contracts, some segments of the Ontario Line, where the alignment joins GO Transit rail corridors, will be procured separately. Work on these sections is expected to start before construction commences on the three major work packages.
The TTC will be responsible for day to day operations, including responsibility for labour relations. Maintenance that the project company could be responsible for includes re-establishing Ontario Line operations, restoring power, co-ordinating with utility companies or others depending on the source of failure to restore operations, the release explained.
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