The long-awaited request for proposals (RFP) process to construct the Hamilton Light Rail Transit (LRT) project has been kicked off — paired with a $5.9-million pledge from the province to build or repair affordable housing along the line.
Three shortlisted teams have been issued an RFP as per Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the $1-billion Hamilton LRT project.
“This exciting milestone represents major progress in bringing improved transit and greater connections to Hamilton,” said Phil Verster, president and CEO of Metrolinx, in a statement.
“The LRT will connect McMaster in the west to Eastgate Square in Stoney Creek, supporting the transit needs of a growing city and continuing to move Hamilton forward.”
To help mitigate impacts on housing units along the corridor due to LRT construction, the province has promised almost $6 million for new and refurbished affordable housing along the line. It’s predicted this could include the purchase or expropriation of 80 buildings.
“Over the years, Hamilton City Council and some local community groups have expressed some concern over the LRT’s impact on the city’s affordable housing stock so the Ministry of Housing and the Ministry of Transportation are providing the $5.9 million into an extended tenant impact strategy investment,” said Ancaster, Dundas, Flamborough, Westdale MPP Ted McMeekin.
“This will support the refurbishment of uninhabitable social housing units and improve access to new, affordable housing opportunities.”
Metrolinx Spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins said the provincial Crown agency has spent or committed almost $100 million so far on the LRT project, including the purchase, or intent to purchase, about 40 properties for affordable housing.
“Expenditures include: the original environmental assessment for the project in 2011 and update in 2017; project design and engineering work; tender documents, and project oversight during the procurement and construction periods; and costs associated with property acquisition, leased spaces,” Aikins said in an email.
The 14-kilometre, 17-stop line that will run along the Main Street/King Street/Queenston Road corridor will have connections to the Hamilton bus network as well as GO Transit, including a pedestrian connection to the Hamilton GO Centre station.
With construction anticipated to begin in 2019, the estimated completion is 2024 and the project is being delivered using IO’s alternative financing and procurement model.
“From RFP release to contract award typically takes 12 to 14 months. Our objective remains to begin construction in 2019 and have the LRT in service in 2024,” said Aikins.
The shortlisted teams were selected based on a request for qualifications process that began in February 2017. Among the criteria were design, construction, maintenance and operational experience, as well as the financial capacity to deliver a project of this size and scope.
As announced in mid-April, the shortlisted teams and their prime members are:
CityLine Transit Group
- Equity providers: ACS, Aecon, CRH, TIAA
- Constructors: Dragados, Aecon, Dufferin
- Design team: Parsons, HDR, Amec, RDHA
- Operation, maintenance and rehabilitation team: ACS, Aecon, CRH, Serco
Ei8ht Transit
- Equity providers: EllisDon, Fluor, Bombardier
- Constructors: Fluor Canada, EllisDon Civil, Bombardier
- Design team: WSP/MMM, Hatch, Gh3, Bombardier
- Operation, maintenance and rehabilitation team: EllisDon Facilities Services, Bombardier
Mobilinx
- Equity providers: Astaldi, John Laing, Hitachi-Ansaldo, Amico, Transdev
- Constructors: Astaldi, Hitachi-Ansaldo, Amico, Bot
- Design team: IBI, Hitachi-Ansaldo, Daoust Lestage, Morrison Hershfield, Exp Services, Arcadis
- Operation, maintenance and rehabilitation team: Transdev, Hitachi-Ansaldo, Astaldi
These teams will begin preparing proposals that detail how they will deliver the project. Upon evaluation, IO and Metrolinx are expected to select a preferred proponent and award the contract to the successful choice in 2019.
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