Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) have released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the QEW Garden City Skyway – Bridge Twinning project in the Regional Municipality of Niagara. The QEW Garden City Skyway – Bridge Twinning project includes constructing a new 2.2-kilometre twin bridge to the north of the existing bridge, connecting St. Catharines and Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Five teams have been pre-qualified and invited to bid on the project, which is being delivered using a Progressive Design-Build – Target Price delivery model. Teams were selected based on criteria identified in the Request for Qualifications process that began in December 2022.
The following teams and their prime team members were invited to respond to the RFP:
AtkinsRéalis Major Projects Inc.
Applicant Lead: AtkinsRéalis Major Projects Inc.
Design Team: AtkinsRéalis Canada Inc., Hatch Ltd.
Construction Team: AtkinsRéalis Major Projects Inc.
Garden City Connectors
Applicant Lead: Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc., Sacyr Canada Inc. (DBJV)
Design Team: Parsons Corporation
Construction Team: Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc., Sacyr Canada Inc.
Garden City Link
Applicant Lead: Acciona Infrastructure Canada, Inc., Amico Major Projects Inc., Pomerleau, Inc. (Integrated JV)
Design Team: WSP Canada Inc.
Construction Team: Acciona Infrastructure Canada, Inc., Amico Major Projects Inc., Pomerleau, Inc.
Peter Kiewit Sons ULC
Applicant Lead: Peter Kiewit Sons ULC
Design Team: Kiewit Engineering Group Canada ULC
Construction Team: Peter Kiewit Sons ULC
Skyway Bridging Partners
Applicant Lead: Dragados Canada Inc., Construction Demathieu & Bard Techno, Green Infrastructure Partners
Design Team: Arcadis Professional Services (Canada) Inc., GHD Ltd., Pedelta
Construction Team: Dragados Canada Inc., Construction Demathieu & Bard Techno, Green Infrastructure Partners
Teams will begin preparing proposals that detail how they will deliver this project. Proposals will be evaluated by IO and MTO and the top-ranked team will work collaboratively with IO and MTO during a Development Phase, expected to start in Spring 2025. Once the Development Phase is completed, IO and MTO will have the option to sign a construction contract with the successful team.
“With Ontario’s population growing at a historic rate, we need to ensure our transportation infrastructure keeps pace,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “The new and expanded Garden City Skyway will be a game-changer, meaning less congestion and faster travel for the people of St. Catharines and Niagara Region.”
The Skyway expansion includes construction of a new four-lane, 2.2-kilometre bridge across the Welland Canal, as well as the rehabilitation and full deck replacement of the current bridge. Once complete, each bridge will have four lanes with the new bridge carrying Toronto-bound traffic and the upgraded existing bridge carrying Niagara-bound traffic.
“The Request for Proposals (RFP) is an important step on the path to expanding the Garden City Skyway. With the projected increases in population and jobs throughout the Greater Golden Horseshoe in the coming years, this expansion will allow people and goods to travel more freely through Niagara,” said Mat Siscoe, Mayor of St. Catharines. “The City of St. Catharines is looking forward to the completion of this project and the economic growth that will accompany it.”
On average, 106,000 vehicles cross the Garden City Skyway bridge daily.
“Ontario’s highway infrastructure is critical to the growth and economic prosperity of our province. As part of our plan to build Ontario, our government is continuing to invest in essential infrastructure like the Garden City Skyway to make it easier for people to travel, while supporting businesses that rely on Ontario’s highways and bridges to deliver goods,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure.
Featured image: Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario Minister of Transportation announces the request for proposals have been issued for the QEW Garden City Skyway – Bridge Twinning project, on April 5, 2024. (Government of Ontario)