Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario (IO) announced on April 9 that they have selected Stantec to provide technical advisory services for the Hurontario Light Rail Transit (LRT) project.

As lead technical advisor, the company will provide design, construction and commissioning oversight services throughout the life of the project. Design review services are already underway, and are able to proceed under Ontario’s definition of allowable construction projects.

“We’re seeing increasing investment in transit projects in Ontario and in other North American markets,” said Gregg Cooke, vice president and regional business leader of transportation at Stantec. “Governments are looking to provide smart and efficient mobility systems to better move growing urban populations, while reducing congestion and travel times. The Hurontario LRT will provide a sustainable transportation solution and economic opportunity to the citizens of Mississauga and Brampton for decades to come.”

Including the Hurontario LRT build, Stantec is working on several large-scale transit projects across North America. The firm is the lead engineer on the $1.9-billion Long Island Rail Road expansion for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York—the busiest commuter line in the United States. It is also leading the design on the Chicago Transit Authority’s $2.1-billion Red and Purple Modernization Program, and was selected to provide infrastructure engineering, procurement, and construction services on Montreal’s light rail network.

Valued at $4.6 billion, the Hurontario LRT project is one of the largest transit projects underway in the Greater Toronto Area. The 18-kilometre line will connect the Port Credit GO regional rail station in Mississauga to the Brampton Gateway Terminal, and include 19 stops along the way. The line will run electric trains along Hurontario Street in a dedicated guideway.

The public-private partnership project also encompasses an operations, maintenance, and storage facility located at Highway 407.

After completion, the LRT line will be operated and maintained by the Mobilinx Consortium but will remain owned by Metrolinx. Construction is expected to be completed in 2024.