Canada names groups able to submit proposals for High Frequency Rail project

Canadian officials last week invited three consortium groups to respond to the request for proposals for the nation’s High Frequency Rail project, a plan to build an electrified, higher-speed passenger-rail system between Toronto and Quebec City.

The following groups were selected after responding to a request for qualifications earlier this year:

• Cadence, which consists of CDPQ Infra, SNC-Lavalin, Systra Canada and Keolis Canada;
• Intercity Rail Developers, which consists of Intercity Development Partners, EllisDon Capital, Kilmer Transportation, First Rail Holdings, Jacobs, Hatch, CIMA+, First Group, RATP Dev Canada and Renfe Operadora; and
• QConnexiON Rail Partners, which consists of Fengate, John Laing, Bechtel, WSP Canada and Deutsche Bahn.

The selected private developer partner will work with VIA HFR to design and develop the new rail system, which is Canada's largest infrastructure project, according to a Transport Canada (TC) press release.

Once the RFP launches in September, participants will be asked to present their proposal, including a technically and commercially feasible solution, a business plan and a management plan for the co-development, construction and operations phases of the project. This approach will incentivize respondents to identify and prioritize the benefits to Canadians in their proposals, while also providing them with the flexibility to take innovative approaches to meet or exceed the desired project outcomes, TC officials said.

When completed, the new trains will operate on over 620 miles of dedicated track at speeds of up to 124 mph.

"This exciting initiative will require strong collaboration between Transport Canada, VIA HFR, and the selected private developer partner to create a sustainable foundation for the design and development of the project. I look forward to the next phase of this project," said Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra.