Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for interested parties to build and finance the Lakeshore East – West Corridor Expansion project. The infrastructure upgrades are required to help accommodate the planned expansion of GO Transit rail service on the Lakeshore East line.
“This is an important milestone towards improving the Lakeshore East Corridor from the Don River to Scarborough GO Station,” said Phil Verster, president and CEO of Metrolinx. “We are increasing mobility to communities across the corridor, and improving the customer experience through the GO expansion program. This work on the most western portion of the Lakeshore East Corridor will deliver the infrastructure needed to improve our Lakeshore East GO Train service.”
The RFQ outlines the scope of work required, which includes:
- Addition of a fourth track on the south side between the Don River Bridge and Gerrard Street shifting to the north side between Pape Avenue and Scarborough GO Station;
- Widening of bridges at: Woodbine Avenue, Warden Avenue and Danforth Avenue;
- Widening works under the Birchmount Road Bridge;
- New station building and platform changes at Danforth GO Station;
- Retaining walls; and
- Three culvert extensions: east of Coxwell Avenue (Mile 329.50), east of Kennedy Road. (Mile 325.74) and Scarborough Junction (Mile 325.55).
This project is part of the province’s GO Regional Express Rail (RER) program. GO RER will provide faster and more frequent service on the GO Transit Rail network with electrification on core segments, including the Union Pearson Express. As part of GO RER, weekly trips across the entire GO rail network will grow from about 1,500 to nearly 6,000 by 2024-25.
Major infrastructure updates are required to bring this level of service to communities across the region, including: modifying GO stations, improving rail crossings, building required systems for electrification, and adding new locomotives and train control systems.
The RFQ is the first step in the procurement process to select a team to deliver the project. IO and Metrolinx will evaluate submissions to prequalify project teams with the relevant construction experience and financial capacity to undertake a project of this size and complexity. Teams that qualify will be invited to respond to a Request for Proposals in fall 2018. Interested companies must register with www.merx.com to download the RFQ.
