The authorities in the Canadian province of Ontario have awarded a CAD 4.32 billion (USD 3.15 billion) contract for the construction of tunnels and underground stations on the Pape section of the new Ontario Line, one of the largest metro projects currently under construction in North America.
The contract was awarded by Metrolinx to the Pape North Connect consortium following the completion of the development phase under the Progressive Design-Build procurement model. This approach involves close collaboration between the client and the contractor during the design, cost estimation, planning and site investigation stages before the project’s final price is agreed.
The agreement establishes a target-price arrangement, under which the estimated project cost is jointly agreed by both parties, reducing risks related to costs, delivery schedule and project scope.
The Pape North Connect consortium comprises Webuild Civil Work, FCC Canada, Arcadis Professional Services (Canada) and Aecom Canada.
New tunnels, stations and integration with the existing metro
The contract covers the construction of 3 km of twin tunnels beneath Pape Avenue, between the Gerrard and Minton/Don Valley Bridge portals, together with two underground stations at Pape and Cosburn.
The project also includes two tunnel portal structures, three buildings for technical services and emergency egress, a track crossover near the junction of Pape Avenue and Sammon Avenue, and the integration of the new infrastructure with Line 2 of Toronto’s metro network.
The Ontario Line is being delivered through a combination of public-private partnership (PPP/P3) contracts, Progressive Design-Build packages and conventional construction contracts, with each phase procured separately to accelerate project delivery.
The new line will be approximately 15.6 km long and will comprise 15 stations, linking Exhibition Place in western Toronto with the Science Centre in the north-east of the city. According to Metrolinx, the line will significantly reduce congestion on the existing Line 1 Yonge–University, improve connections with the regional GO Transit network as well as tram and bus services, and will be capable of carrying up to around 47,000 passengers per hour in each direction during peak periods.
The Ontario Line is one of the most significant public transport expansion programmes in Canada and is expected to enter passenger service in the early 2030s.
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