Edmonton Selects TransEd Partners as Valley Line LRT Partner

The city of Edmonton has selected TransEd Partners to design, build, operate, maintain and finance stage one of the Valley Line LRT. The 13-km LRT from Mill Woods to Downtown will help transform the city with a modern, urban-style transit service that integrates directly into Edmonton communities. 

TransEd Partners was chosen following an 18-month procurement process that saw comprehensive proposals from three international teams. Teams were evaluated on their experience in the design and construction of LRT systems as well as operation, maintenance and finance. The proposal from TransEd Partners demonstrated the best overall value for citizens.

“We feel confident that TransEd Partners shares Edmonton’s vision for its future, and is the right partner to bring this vision to life,” said Acting City Manager Linda Cochrane. “The procurement process on this project has been very robust and the final deal is one that offers strong value for taxpayers.”

TransEd Partners includes world leaders in delivering large, complex, public-private partnership (P3) infrastructure projects. A P3 arrangement transfers significant risks for budget, schedule or performance delays, as well as ongoing maintenance and operations, to the private sector. The team comprises: Fengate Capital Management, Bechtel, Ellis-Don, and Bombardier. Other key team members include Transdev, Arup, and IBI Group.

The first phase of the Valley Line LRT will include 11 street-level stops that are easy to access. The line also includes Davies Station, located in the Wagner industrial area, with a 1,400-spot Park and Ride facility and a full transit centre; the new Tawatinâ bridge across North Saskatchewan River; a short tunnel from the north face of the River Valley through to the Quarters redevelopment. Passengers will be able to access the Metro and Capital LRT lines by transferring at Churchill Square.

Detailed work is now required to finalize the contract. This process is expected to be complete by February 2016, with construction beginning shortly afterwards.

The Valley Line is a $1.8 billion project, and has been made possible through key funding partnerships with the Province of Alberta and Government of Canada.

• The city of Edmonton is contributing $800 million.
• The province of Alberta is contributing $600 million through Green Trip, an interest-free loan and matching federal funding under the New Building Canada Fund.
• The government of Canada is contributing $400 million through PPP Canada and the New Building Canada Fund.