Mobilinx consortium firms up $4.6B deal to build, maintain 18-kilometre Hurontario LRT

A rendering of the new 18-kilometre LRT that will run through Mississauga and Brampton. PHOTO: Transdev

Infrastructure Ontario, Metrolinx and a P3 construction team have finalized the multibillion-dollar contract for the Hurontario light rail transit system.

Designed to run 18 kilometres through the heart of Mississauga and part of Brampton, Ont., the $4.6 billion line is the latest in a series of big-ticket Toronto-area transit projects. The two crown-owned entities had picked the Mobilinx construction consortium as the preferred proponent for the job in August, but the deal did not close until Oct 21.

The contract totals $4.6 billion, and of that, $2.1 billion will be spent on the construction stage of the project, according to Infrastructure Ontario. Mobilinx’s scope of work covers the design, construction and financing of the transit line, as well as operations and maintenance over a 30-year term.

After several scope changes to the original design, which dropped a three-stop loop in downtown Mississauga and a connection to downtown Brampton, the LRT is expected to run from the Port Credit GO Station near Lake Ontario to the Gateway Terminal at Steeles Avenue in Brampton. The route includes 19 stops along dedicated lanes. Mobilinx will also be responsible for the construction of a light rail vehicle maintenance and storage facility at Highway 407.

Pre-construction for the LRT is already underway, as is the final design work. Construction activity will ramp up once the design is signed off on. At peak, Mobilinx anticipates the project will create 800 construction jobs.

The new light rail line is expected to begin carrying passengers in fall 2024.

A complete breakdown of the Mobilinx team:

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