Infrastructure Ontario

RFPs Issued for Ontario Line Major Works

Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have issued Requests for Proposals (RFP) to six shortlisted consortiums for two Ontario Line major-works contracts in Toronto: Pape Tunnel and Underground Stations, and Elevated Guideway and

ONxpress Transportation Partners has chosen ZEDAS GmbH’s software for the On-Corridor Works Project of the GO Expansion program. Starting in 2024, it will be used “to digitize and automate maintenance processes in the areas of rail vehicles and rail infrastructure.”

Supply Side: Actelis, ZEDAS GmbH

Northern Ireland Railways (NI Railways) has selected Fremont, Calif.-based Actelis to enable high-speed connectivity for a large-scale safety critical project. Also, the ONxpress Transportation Partners consortium has chosen ZEDAS GmbH’s asset management system for the On-Corridor Works Project of the GO Expansion program in Canada’s Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

Connect 6ix rendering showing early-concept designs for the planned 9.7-mile Ontario Line in Toronto, Canada.

Toronto’s Ontario Line Project Advances

Connect 6ix has landed the C$9 billion contract for the Ontario Line Rolling Stock, Systems, Operations and Maintenance (RSSOM) package, Canada’s Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx reported on Nov. 17.

Through the new Clean Team Initiative pilot program, 24 additional contract cleaners will board light rail vehicles across the DART network on all four light rail lines throughout the day. (Photograph Courtesy of DART)

Transit Briefs: DART, Metrolinx, VIA Rail Canada

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) in Texas launches a Clean Team Initiative pilot program. Also, VIA Rail Canada awards contracts to upgrade its Toronto and Montréal maintenance centers; and the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage has closed for the second Advance Tunnel Contract on the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension in Toronto.

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.