The RFQs are for the first two of three separate public-private partnership (PPP) procurement contracts to build and equip the new line. The first two contracts are:

Rolling stock, systems, operation and maintenance (RSSOM) contract comprising:

• a 30-year design-build-finance-operate-maintain contract for the entire Ontario Line
• train design, supply, operate and maintain
• systems – design, build, operate and maintain all track, communications including Wi-Fi, CCTV, and passenger information, and train control systems
• design, build, operate and maintain the operation, maintenance and train storage facility; the operation control centre (including connections to TTC and Go Transit); and a backup operations control centre
• work collaboratively with TTC, and
• integrate fare equipment with the Presto system.

Southern civil, stations and tunnel contract comprising:

• a design-build-finance contract for the southern portion of the Ontario Line, from Exhibition/Ontario Place to the Don Yard portal consisting of a 6km tunnel and all associated tunnelling works
• ground works required to build the tunnels and stations; utility and conduit works to prepare for the RSSOM mechanical and electrical systems; guideway structures and facilities to prepare for the track structure to be installed by the RSSOM contractor, and
• stations, comprising one surface station to be integrated with the existing Go Transit Exhibition station, two underground stations to be integrated with the existing TTC Osgoode and Queen stations, and four underground stations (King/Bathurst, Queen/Spadina, Moss Park, Corktown).

IO and Metrolinx plan to shortlist teams for each contract and invite them to respond to a Request for Proposals in autumn 2020.

The RFQ for the northern civil, stations and tunnel contract, from Gerrard station to the Ontario Science Centre, is expected to be issued in early 2022. The contract will cover seven stations, a 3km tunnel, two portals and the associated approach structures, bridges and elevated guideways. The objective is to complete all three PPPs at the same time.

“Creating three separate contracts of manageable size and acceptable risk will encourage competition and active participation from the market to support innovation and ensure that the right teams are in place to successfully deliver the line at the best value for taxpayers,” says IO.

There will also be a series of early works projects for bridge, track and other preparatory activities along the joint rail corridor where the Ontario Line will operate next to existing Go Transit train services. These contracts will be procured traditionally and will begin to be issued later this year.

Map showing the alignment for the Ontario Line.

The $C 10.9bn ($US 8.14bn) Ontario Line will connect Ontario Science Centre to Exhibition/Ontario Place. More than half of the line will be underground with the remainder either elevated or at-grade with 15 stations. The Ontario Line will connect with Go Transit commuter rail services, Toronto Transit Commission’s metro lines 1 and 2, and the future Line 5 (Eglinton Crosstown LRT).