TORONTO - Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for interested parties to build and finance the Lakeshore East - West Corridor Expansion project. The infrastructure upgrades are required to help accommodate the planned expansion of GO Transit rail service on the Lakeshore East line.

The RFQ outlines the scope of work required, which includes:

  • Addition of a fourth track on the south side between the Don River Bridge and Gerrard Street shifting to the north side between Pape Avenue and Scarborough GO Station.
  • Widening of bridges at: Woodbine Avenue, Warden Avenue and Danforth Avenue.
  • Widening works under the Birchmount Road Bridge.
  • New station building and platform changes at Danforth GO Station.
  • Retaining walls.
  • Three culvert extensions: east of Coxwell Avenue (Mile 329.50), east of Kennedy Road. (Mile 325.74) and Scarborough Junction (Mile 325.55).

This project is part of the province's GO Regional Express Rail (RER) program. GO RER will provide faster and more frequent service on the GO Transit Rail network with electrification on core segments, including the Union Pearson Express. As part of GO RER, weekly trips across the entire GO rail network will grow from about 1,500 to nearly 6,000 by 2024-25. The program will provide new travel choices for commuters, significantly increase transit ridership, cut journey times and help manage congestion across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).

Major infrastructure updates are required to bring this level of service to communities across the region, including: modifying GO stations, improving rail crossings, building required systems for electrification, and adding new locomotives and train control systems.

The RFQ is the first step in the procurement process to select a team to deliver the project. IO and Metrolinx will evaluate submissions to prequalify project teams with the relevant construction experience and financial capacity to undertake a project of this size and complexity. Teams that qualify will be invited to respond to a Request for Proposals in fall 2018. Interested companies must register with www.merx.com to download the RFQ.

Providing faster and more frequent transit service is part of Ontario's plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change. The plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.

Quick Facts:

  • The province is investing $21.3 billion to transform the GO rail network from a commuter transit system to a regional rapid transit system.
  • The project is being delivered as a Build Finance (BF) contract using Infrastructure Ontario's Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) model, which transfers risks associated with construction and financing of the project to the private sector.
  • Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges in the province's history. To learn more about what's happening in your community, visit Ontario.ca/BuildON.

Quotes:

“We are moving forward with this next step in procurement as we improve and modernize the entire GO rail network. This means more convenient travel options in the future, making it as easy as possible for people to use transit.”
Kathryn McGarry, Minister of Transportation 

“Implementing Regional Express Rail is crucial to improving transit service for people in the GTHA. Through the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario's history, we are strengthening communities and connecting people to family, friends and job opportunities.”
Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure

“This is an important milestone towards improving the Lakeshore East Corridor from the Don River to Scarborough GO Station. We are increasing mobility to communities across the corridor, and improving the customer experience through the GO expansion program. This work on the most western portion of the Lakeshore East Corridor will deliver the infrastructure needed to improve our Lakeshore East GO Train service.”
 Phil Verster, President and CEO, Metrolinx

“IO is pleased to begin procurement on yet another important piece of Metrolinx's RER program. We look forward to ultimately selecting the best, qualified team to deliver this expansion work along the Lakeshore East-West corridor.”
Ehren Cory, President and CEO, Infrastructure Ontario

Learn More

Infrastructure Ontario
Metrolinx
RER
BuildON

Contacts:

Bianca Lankheit
Infrastructure Ontario
416-326-0636

Anne Marie Aikins
Metrolinx
416-202-5796

Disponible en français