News
News and information from and for Ontario’s construction industry
The Link2Build group publishes news and information about the Ontario construction industry daily. Check here for the latest in trends, developments and insight from a wide variety of contributors, and visit regularly for updated information.
Mobilinx consortium awarded Mississauga LRT DBFOM contract
Published Date: October 23, 2019
Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx announced on September 21 that the contract for the Hurontario LRT project has been awarded to the Mobilinx Hurontario General Partnership group. The project is worth approximately $4.6 billion, and will require the Mobilinx team will design, build, finance, operate and maintain the LRT for a 30-year term.
The Hurontario LRT is an 18-kilometre, 19-stop light rail transit system that runs along Hurontario Street from Port Credit in Mississauga to Gateway Terminal in south Brampton. The LRT will operate in a separated guideway with traffic priority throughout most of the corridor.
Members of the successful project consortium include:
- 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
At the peak of construction, Mobilinx estimates that approximately 800 jobs will be created.
Design work will begin immediately with construction to follow. Mobilinx anticipates completion of the LRT in Fall 2024.
Within the consortium, Transdev will be responsible for operations, maintenance and rehabilitation. Throughout the construction and mobilization phase, Transdev will support its partners and advise them on all system operability aspects.
"We are proud of Infrastructure Ontario's and Metrolinx's confidence in our consortium", said Yann Leriche, CEO of Transdev North America. “This first Transdev light rail operations and maintenance contract in Canada confirms our leading position in the field, now in ten countries, and strengthens our belief in the value of public-private partnerships for the long-term success of major infrastructure projects
Construction investment gains 1.4 percent in August: StatsCan
Published: October 22, 2019
Statistics Canada reported yesterday that the value of investments in building construction across the country rose by 1.4 percent in August. Gains in both the residential and non-residential sectors helped bring the total value of investments to $15.5 billion.
Investment in residential building construction rose 1.8 percent to $10.6 billion. The multi-unit component edged up 0.4 percent to $5.3 billion. Investment in single-unit construction increased 3.2 percent to $5.4 billion, slightly exceeding multi-unit residential investment.
Non-residential investment was up 0.5 percent to $4.9 billion. Both the commercial (+0.8 percent to $2.8 billion) and institutional (+0.2 percent to $1.1 billion) components edged up. The industrial component (-0.4 percent to $905.4 million) edged down in August.
Here in Ontario, building construction investment totaled $7.2 billion in August, an increase of slightly less than 8 percent. Investment in residential construction increased by 9.2 percent to $5.4 billion, while investment in the non-residential sector rose by 4.5 percent to $1.8 billion.
PCL Construction releases corporate social responsibility report
PCL Construction unveiled the results of its first-ever corporate social responsibility report on October 21. The document, which lists the efforts the company takes to build and operate sustainably, looks at five aspects of the company’s work: people, projects, partners, practices, and places.
Report card gives failing grade to several types of infrastructure assets
A significant amount of Canada’s infrastructure needs repair in the next five to ten years if it is to remain viable. That was the key message delivered by eight partners (among them the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) and the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies - Canada (ACEC)) in the latest edition of the Canadian Infrastructure Report Card.
MoL seeking feedback on health and safety strategy for 2020–2021
The Ministry of Labour is asking for stakeholders for feedback on its occupational health and safety compliance strategy for 2020–2021.
Every year, the ministry of Labour reaches out to stakeholders to gather information for its strategic planning processes for the year ahead. This year, it wants specific feedback about a number of issues, including: hazards, health and safety initiatives, education, outreach and awareness, and sector-specific topics.