TransEd Partners picked to build, operate Edmonton's Valley LRT Line
A company called TransEd Partners has been chosen to design, build, operate, maintain and finance stage one of Edmonton's Valley Line LRT, the city announced Wednesday.
The 13-kilometre LRT line to connect Mill Woods with downtown will be built as a public-private partnership (P3), which the city said transfers significant risks for budget, schedule or performance delays, as well as ongoing maintenance and operations, to the private sector.
TransEd is a partnership of companies that includes Fengate Capital Management, Bechtel, Ellis-Don, and Bombardier. Other key team members include Transdev, ARUP, and IBI Group.
The group was chosen following an 18-month procurement process that accepted proposals from three international teams.
Teams were evaluated on their experience in the design and construction of LRT systems as well as operation, maintenance and finance, the city said in a statement.
"We feel confident that TransEd Partners shares Edmonton's vision for its future, and is the right partner to bring this vision to life," said acting city manager Linda Cochrane. "The procurement process on this project has been very robust and the final deal is one that offers strong value for taxpayers."
The first phase of the Valley Line LRT will include 11 street-level stops and the Davies Station, in the Wagner industrial area, with a 1,400-space park-and-ride lot. Passengers will be able to access the Metro and Capital LRT lines by transferring at Churchill Square.
The contract for the $1.8-billion project is expected to be finalized by February 2016, with construction beginning shortly afterwards. Funding for the project will come from:
- City of Edmonton, $800 million.
- Province of Alberta, $600 million through Green Trip, an interest-free loan and matching federal funding under the New Building Canada Fund.
- Government of Canada, $400 million through PPP Canada and the New Building Canada Fund.
