MCS Consortium Awarded Metrolinx GTA Contract
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
The MCS consortium will integrate as a delivery partner with Metrolinx on its Scarborough Subway and Yonge North Subway extension projects, extending Toronto Transit Commission’s existing subway network by approximately 10 miles.
The Mace, Comtech and SYSTRA consortium (MCS) has been awarded the Delivery Partner Services contract to support Metrolinx’s Scarborough Subway and Yonge North Subway extension projects in Canada’s Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
The multi-billion-dollar projects will extend Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) existing subway network by approximately 10 miles (16 kilometers).
MCS on March 20 reported that it will integrate as a delivery partner with Metrolinx; the consortium is already supporting the rail infrastructure program, GO Expansion, as Program Delivery Partner.
The approximately C$5.5 billion Scarborough Subway Extension will bring the TTC’s Bloor-Danforth Line 2 subway service 4.8 miles (7.8 kilometers) farther into Scarborough, extending from the Kennedy Station to a new terminus at Sheppard Avenue and McCowan Road (see map above). The extension, which will replace Line 3 (the Scarborough RT), includes three stations and is slated to connect with up to six other transit modes: one GO Train line (Stoufville), up to two local rapid transit lines (Line 5/Eglinton Crosstown and a planned connection to the future Sheppard Subway Extension), and three bus services (GO Transit, Durham Region Transit and TTC buses). Completion is expected by 2029-30, with 105,000 daily boardings by 2041. Tunneling work for the project began earlier this year. (Canada’s Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx in late 2022 selected Scarborough Transit Connect as the development partner to enter the development phase of the Scarborough Subway Extension project’s Stations, Rail and Systems contract.)
The roughly C$5.6 billion Yonge North Subway Extension will extend TTC’s Line 1 subway service 4.6 miles (7.4 kilometers) from the existing terminus at Finch Station into the city of Richmond Hill (see map above). This cross-jurisdictional project spans the city of Toronto and York Region, including sections within the cities of Markham, Vaughan and Richmond Hill. It is slated to include five stations and an approximately 3.9-mile (6.3-kilometer) underground tunnel segment, and to connect with local (VIVA BRT) and GO transit (Richmond Hill Line) services upon completion, which is expected after the 9.9-mile free-standing Ontario Line project wraps up.
“Working with MCS will help us ensure these projects are delivered as smoothly and efficiently as possible,” Metrolinx Executive Vice President, Subway Extensions Mark Ciavarro said. “Establishing this partnership brings us an important step closer to bringing faster, better transit to people across the region.”
“We are delighted to be awarded a Delivery Partner contract with our partners SYSTRA and Comtech,” said Jason Millett, CEO of consultancy Mace. “We are looking forward to continuing our journey as MCS with Metrolinx and doing our part to create an inspiring legacy for the people in the Greater Toronto Area.”
“These projects will bring transformative benefits to local communities, improving access to jobs, schools and other important destinations, while reducing travel time,” said Andrew Philip, Executive Vice President, Transportation and Infrastructure, at the Comtech Group.
“The Scarborough and Yonge North Subway Extensions contract is a further validation of the strength of the MCS Consortium,” said Dave Spagnolo, CEO of SYSTRA Canada. “We look forward to collaborating with Metrolinx, Infrastructure Ontario and TTC to realize these ambitious service improvements.”
The Scarborough and Yonge extensions are two of the priority transit projects announced by the government of Ontario in April 2019 in the New Subway Transit Plan for the GTA. The other two are the 5.7-mile Eglinton Crosstown West Extension and the Ontario Line.
