Together with Metrolinx, Infrastructure Ontario has released a request for qualifications to pre-qualify and shortlist companies to design, build, finance and maintain the new East Rail Maintenance Facility for GO Transit. The facility will accommodate light and heavy maintenance work and provide additional train storage to support GO Transit’s planned service expansions, such as two-way, all-day train service.
The company selected for the East Rail Maintenance Facility will provide design and construction elements to pursue LEED Silver or greater designation by incorporating sustainable practices in its design and construction plans.
At more than 600,000 square feet, the maintenance facility will provide daily maintenance for up to twenty-two 12-car passenger trains. It will include:
- 18 storage tracks
- an electrical substation for power supply to facility and trains
- progressive maintenance bays used for train inspection and maintenance
- a coach shop
- a diesel shop
- a paint shop
- a wheel shop
- locomotive and train wash buildings
- a fuelling station
- staff offices
The project will proceed under Infrastructure Ontario’s Alternative Financing and Procurement delivery model – a public-private partnership model. This provides the opportunity to transfer project risks to the private sector, which commits to delivering projects on time and on budget.
The request for qualifications is the first step in a competitive tendering process to select a company to design, build, finance and maintain the East Rail Maintenance Facility project. A copy of the request is available at www.merx.com.
Submissions will be evaluated to shortlist companies with the design, construction and maintenance capability and experience, the qualified personnel and the financial strength to deliver the project. Shortlisted teams will be invited to respond to a request for proposals, expected to be released in late winter 2013.
Through the P3 Canada Fund, the federal government will provide a portion of the funding for eligible construction costs. The Province of Ontario and Metrolinx will be responsible for the remaining costs.