Metrolinx, Infrastructure Ontario select Mobilinx as Hurontario LRT preferred proponent

Aug. 27, 2019
A contract is expected to be awarded this fall for the 11.18-mile light rail line connecting Brampton to Mississauga.

Mobilinx has been named the preferred proponent to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Hurontario Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, according to Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx. 

The parties anticipate a formal contract being awarded in the fall of 2019 with design work expected to begin shortly after.

The Hurontario LRT project is designed to be the north-south connector between Brampton and Mississauga, Ontario. The full build out includes 19 stops along the 18-km (11.18-mile) route of new dedicated rapid transit between Port Credit GO Station in Mississauga to the Gateway Terminal at Steeles Avenue in Brampton. Additionally, a maintenance and storage facility for the light-rail vehicles located south of Highway 407 and west of Kennedy Road will be built.

In March, Metrolinx announced plans to reduce the scope of the project, which included the removal of the Mississauga city center loop and the creation of a direct in-out access route from Hurontario to the Rathburn stop, located next to the MiWay Transit Terminal; deferring the pedestrian bridge at the Cooksville stop to be included in a future Transit Oriented Development between the stop and the GO station and changes to street-scaping along the corridor. The changes had been proposed by Metrolinx and approved by the provincial government.

At the time of the scoping revision, Metrolinx President and CEO Phil Verster explained that the changes would reduce project cost while delivering on the project’s goal of fast and reliable service.

Verster also noted that the reduction in scope didn’t mean the elements were completely off the table and the contract included provisions to adapt to future changes or additions to the LRT.

The contract value for the project will be revealed at financial close.

Members of the Mobilinx team include:

Applicant Lead: John Laing, Astaldi, Hitachi, Transdev, Amico Concessions, Salini Impregilo

Construction: Astaldi, Hitachi, Amico, Bot, Salini Impregilo

Design: IBI Group, Hitachi, Morrison Hershfield, Arcadis, Daoust Lestage, Exp.

Operation Maintenance & Rehabilitation Provider: Transdev, Hitachi, Astaldi, Salini Impregilo

Financial Advisor: National Bank, HSBC

Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario said the selection of Mobilinx is the result of an open, fair and competitive procurement process overseen by a third-party fairness monitor.

About the Author

Mischa Wanek-Libman | Editor in Chief

Mischa Wanek-Libman serves as editor in chief of Mass Transit magazine. She is responsible for developing and maintaining the magazine’s editorial direction and is based in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Wanek-Libman has spent more than 20 years covering transportation issues including construction projects and engineering challenges for various commuter railroads and transit agencies. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content. 

She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and serves as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.  

She is a graduate of Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a major in magazine journalism and a minor in business management.