MARKHAM, August 4, 2015 – Metrolinx and York Region Rapid Transit Corporation (YRRTC) have selected EDCO as the preferred proponent to design, build and finance the dedicated York Viva Bus Rapid Transit rapidways along the Highway 7 transit corridor in the City of Vaughan and Town of Richmond Hill.
EDCO is a joint venture of EllisDon Capital Inc. and Coco Paving Inc., supported by a Design-Build joint venture of EllisDon Civil Ltd. and Coco Paving Inc., and a Design Team of IBI Group, LEA Consulting Ltd., WSP Canada Inc. and Peto MacCallum Ltd. The selection of EDCO is the result of an open, fair and competitive procurement process overseen by a third party fairness monitor and based on established industry criteria.
Selection of this preferred proponent was the next step in the procurement process and leads to the awarding of the contract. Over the coming months, YRRTC and Metrolinx will negotiate final contract details with EDCO. The cost of the project, design details and expected construction schedule will be announced following commercial and financial close in September, signalling the contract has been awarded and signed. Infrastructure Ontario is acting as procurement advisor for the project.
“The government of Ontario is committed to better public transit for York Region and for the entire province,” said Steven Del Duca, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation. “Our investments in public infrastructure will help manage congestion, support our region’s economy and will strengthen the connections between communities.”
“This project plays an important role in expanding the transit network in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area,” said Metrolinx President and CEO Bruce McCuaig. “It provides benefits for the people of Vaughan and Richmond Hill who need to move within their communities, but also better connections and integrated transit for residents who need to move quickly and easily across the region.”
“We are pleased to be working with the Province as we continue to prepare York Region for future growth,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. “Those who live and work in York Region will benefit from these projects with more convenient and reliable transportation options, updated utilities, and attractive pedestrian and cycling areas.”
Once the final contract details have been negotiated, EDCO will deliver the vivaNext segments, including approximately 12 kilometres of rapidways and 10 new vivastations, along the existing Highway 7 transit corridor. The first segment will extend from Helen Street to Interchange Way/Edgeley Boulevard, and the second segment from Bowes Road to Yonge Street via the existing Centre Street and Bathurst Street route. VivaNext rapidways are being built along 34 kilometres of key York Region corridors and will include a total of 38 new vivastations.
The new rapidways will make it easier to travel in and around York Region by improving travel times and service reliability, and will integrate with local transit systems for better connectivity.
This initiative is part of the York Viva BRT project which represents a $1.4 billion transit investment from the Government of Ontario, and is part of Metrolinx’s Regional Transportation Plan, a 25-year plan for an integrated and sustainable transit and transportation system in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). The project is being implemented by Metrolinx, an agency of the Province of Ontario. Visit www.metrolinx.com for more information.
York Region Rapid Transit Corporation (YRRTC) is responsible for the planning, design and construction of the full vivaNext rapid transit network and related infrastructure to deliver on the transit priorities set out in the York Region Transportation Master Plan. YRRTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary and share capital corporation of The Regional Municipality of York. The vivaNext plan is a key component of the vision outlined by the Places to Grow Act, which aims to manage growth in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly way that enriches communities. For more information, please visit vivanext.com.
Contact:
Alex Burke
Metrolinx
416-202-5726
alex.burke@metrolinx.com
Sarah Harris
York Region Rapid Transit Corporation
905-886-6767 ext. 71380
sarah.harris@york.ca