Infrastructure Ontario

Artist’s rendering showing an aerial view of Ontario Line’s Exhibition Station on Toronto’s west side. (Image Courtesy of Metrolinx)

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, SCVTA, TriMet

Canada’s Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx have awarded a fixed-price contract to Ontario Transit Group for the Ontario Line Southern Civil, Stations and Tunnel (South Civil) package. Also, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) in California is beginning work on two long-range transportation plans; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) is eying a fare increase in January 2024.

Artist’s rendering showing an aerial view of Ontario Line’s Exhibition Station on Toronto’s west side. (Image Courtesy of Metrolinx)

Preferred Proponent Teams Selected for Ontario Line South, RSSOM Contracts

Canada’s Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx on Sept. 14 announced the preferred proponent teams to deliver the South Civil, Stations and Tunnel (South) and Rolling Stock, Systems, Operations and Maintenance (RSSOM) contracts for the 9.7-mile (15.6-kilometer) Ontario Line, a planned Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) rapid transit line linking the Ontario Science Center and Exhibition/Ontario Place.

MTA is advancing Penn Station reconstruction with the removal of seven low-hanging beams, dubbed “Head Knockers.” The beams, weighing in at 10 tons apiece, are part of the original Penn Station structure and have limited passageway heights to 6 feet, 8 inches.

Transit Briefs: Metrolink, NYMTA, TransLink

Riders of Metrolink, southern California’s regional/commuter rail system, can now use the Transit app for trip planning. Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is moving forward on Penn Station reconstruction; and Vancouver’s TransLink is starting a C$8.1 million upgrade project at the Brentwood Town Center SkyTrain Station.

An electric powered GO train moves across a bridge, in this artist rendering. (Metrolinx image)

GO Expansion Program Procurement Advances

ONxpress Transportation Partners (ONTP) has been identified by Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx as the First Negotiations Proponent to design, build, operate and maintain GO Transit’s 25-year Rail Expansion Program in the Greater Toronto Area. The project would involve transforming much of GO’s network into a system that will ultimately offer bidirectional all-day service.

Toronto: USRP Complete, USEP Under Way

After ten years and C$824 million, Toronto’s Union Station Revitalization Project (USRP) is complete, including the historic facility’s main passenger area, Bay Concourse, which was completely remodeled and expanded. Next up: Union Station Enhancement Project (USEP), which will improve the train platform space.

Yonge North Subway Extension Plans Advance

There will be a fourth station for the 8-kilometer (4.97-mile) Yonge North Subway Extension bringing the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) existing Line 1 subway to the cities of Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill, according to the governments of Ontario and Canada.

Bombardier Wins Maintenance Contract for Toronto’s Finch West LRT

Mosaic Transit Group (MTG) has awarded Bombardier Transportation a 30-year contract to maintain light rail vehicles and wayside track and catenary systems for the new C$2.5 billion (US$1.95 billion) Finch West LRT project in northwest Toronto. The 11-km (6.8-mile) line is a P3 of Infrastructure Ontario; Metrolinx; and MTG, a joint venture of ACS Infrastructure and AECON that has a DBFM (design, build, finance, maintain) contract.

Stantec, Jacobs JV Selected for Toronto Projects

Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have awarded the 360 Transit Alliance Joint Venture, comprising Stantec and Jacobs, a program control services contract for four TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) projects, valued at C$28.5 billion (US$22.07 billion).