IO and Metrolinx award Mobilinx C$4.6 billion Hurontario LRT contract

Mobilinx Hurontario General Partnership has been awarded a C$4.6 billion (US$3.51 billion) contract from Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Hurontario Light Rail Transit (LRT) line for a 30-year term. 

The consortium was named in August as the preferred proponent for the rail project that will provide a north-south connection between Mississauga and Brampton, Ontario.

“Providing transit solutions and connecting communities is our goal and this is a major step in making it a reality,” said Metrolinx President and CEO Phil Verster. 

Metrolinx and IO are delivering the Hurontario LRT via a public-private partnership contract which transfers the appropriate risks to the private sector. While the LRT will be operated and maintained by Mobilinx, it will remain publicly owned by Metrolinx.

The Mobilinx team includes:

Applicant Lead: John Laing Investments Limited, Astaldi Canada Enterprises Inc., Hitachi Rail STS S.p.A., Transdev North America Inc., Amico Concessions Inc., Salini Impregilo Canada Holding Inc.

Construction: Astaldi Canada Design & Construction Inc., Hitachi Rail STS Canada Inc., Amico Infrastructures Inc., Bot Infrastructure Ltd., Salini Impregilo Civil Works Inc.

Design: IBI Group Professional Services (Canada) Inc., Hitachi Rail STS S.p.A., Morrison Hershfield, Arcadis Canada Inc., Daoust Lestage Inc., Exp Services Inc.

Operation Maintenance & Rehabilitation Provider: Transdev Services Canada Inc., Hitachi Rail STS Canada Inc., Astaldi Canada Enterprises Inc., Salini Impregilo S.p.A.

Financial Advisor: National Bank, HSBC

At the peak of construction, Mobilinx estimates that approximately 800 jobs will be created.

"We are proud of Infrastructure Ontario's and Metrolinx's confidence in our consortium. This first Transdev light-rail operations and maintenance contract in Canada confirms our leading position in the field, now in 10 countries, and strengthens our belief in the value of public-private partnerships for the long-term success of major infrastructure projects. Congratulations to all the teams who made this great achievement possible," said Yann Leriche, CEO of Transdev North America.

Within the consortium, Transdev will be responsible for operations, maintenance and rehabilitation. Throughout the construction and mobilization phase, Transdev will support its partners and advise them on all system operability aspects.

The Hurontario LRT scope includes:

• 18 kms (11.18 miles) of new dedicated rapid transit between Port Credit GO Station in Mississauga to the Gateway Terminal at Steeles Avenue in Brampton;
• 19 stops with connections to GO Transit’s Milton and Lakeshore West rail lines,
• Mississauga MiWay, Brampton Transit and the Mississauga Transitway; and
• A maintenance and storage facility for the light rail vehicles located south of Highway 407 and west of Kennedy Road.

Design work will begin immediately with construction to follow. Mobilinx anticipates completion of the LRT in Fall 2024.

In March, Metrolinx announced plans to reduce the scope of the project, which included the removal of the Mississauga city center loop and the creation of a direct in-out access route from Hurontario to the Rathburn stop, located next to the MiWay Transit Terminal; deferring the pedestrian bridge at the Cooksville stop to be included in a future Transit Oriented Development between the stop and the GO station and changes to street-scaping along the corridor. At the time of the scoping revision, Metrolinx President and CEO Phil Verster explained that the changes would reduce project cost while delivering on the project’s goal of fast and reliable service. He also noted that the reduction in scope didn’t mean the elements were completely off the table and the contract included provisions to adapt to future changes or additions to the LRT.