Robin MacLennan
Ontario Construction Report staff writer
Metrolinx has awarded MCS consortium delivery partner services contracts for the Scarborough Subway Extension and Yonge North Subway Extension projects.
The group includes Mace, Comtech and Systra is also working with Metrolinx on the GO Expansion project, through a contract awarded in early 2022.
The multi-billion-dollar projects will extend Toronto’s subway network by approximately 16 kilometres and accommodate nearly 200,000 trips each day.
“We are incredibly proud to be a part of the MCS consortium, awarded the contract for Delivery Partner for the Scarborough subway extension and Yonge North subway extension,” said Andrew Philip, executive vice president, transportation and infrastructure at Comtech Group. “These projects will bring transformative benefits to local communities, improving access to jobs, schools and other important destinations, while reducing travel time.
“The MSC partnership brings a unique set of expertise, and we are confident that our consortium will drive successful outcomes for Metrolinx and this multi-billion-dollar project.”
The Scarborough Subway Extension will bring subway service about eight kilometres farther into Toronto’s east end.
Early construction work has been underway for more than a year, and tunnelling – expected to take more than two years to complete – started in January, with a tunnel-boring machine working south from Sheppard Avenue and McCowan Road and moving about 10 metres a day.
It’s estimated the extension will open in 2030.
“The Scarborough and Yonge North Subway Extensions contract is a further validation of the strength of the MCS Consortium. SYSTRA is a world leader in rail, participating in 50% of the subway programs worldwide,” said Dave Spagnolo, CEO, SYSTRA Canada. “SYSTRA Canada is thrilled to mobilize that expertise, along with our partners, to help bring a world class transportation network to Toronto.
“We look forward to collaborating with Metrolinx, Infrastructure Ontario and TTC to realize these ambitious service improvements.”
Meanwhile, the Yonge North Subway Extension will extend subway service about eight kilometres from the existing Finch Station into the cities of Markham, Vaughan and Richmond Hill. Once complete, both projects will connect with local and GO Transit services.
The province has officially awarded the rolling stock, systems, operations and maintenance (RSSOM) contract to Connect 6ix. The contract includes designing and supplying the Ontario Line fleet of trains, as well as designing and building the maintenance and storage facility.
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the northern segment of the Ontario Line was issued for the building of underground stations and tunnels underneath Pape Avenue between the Gerrard portal and the Don Valley bridge and the construction of three kilometres of elevated tracks in Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park.
“We are delighted to be awarded a delivery partner contract with our partners SYSTRA and Comtech,” said Jason Millett, CEO of consultancy at Mace. “This is another game-changing program for the Province of Ontario, and, as a win, it is a testament to the strength of the collaborative delivery partner approach.
“We are looking forward to continuing our journey as MCS with Metrolinx and doing our part to create an inspiring legacy for the people in the Greater Toronto Area.”