MONTREAL,
Feb. 13, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ -
SNC-Lavalin (TSX: SNC) is pleased to announce that the consortium,
the Rideau Transit Group Partnership, of which SNC-Lavalin is a
partner, has finalized an agreement with the City of Ottawa to design, build, finance and
maintain the Confederation Line, the city's first-ever light rail
transit system.
In the initial phase of the project, the Rideau
Transit Group Partnership will be responsible for the construction
of 12.5 km of guideway, 10 above-ground stations, three underground
stations and a 2.5 km tunnel beneath the downtown core. The
consortium will also widen Highway 417 between Nicholas Street to the Highway 174 split, supply
the light rail transit vehicles, build a maintenance and storage
facility, and provide ongoing maintenance of the system for a
30-year period.
The Confederation Line is a sustainable and
affordable rapid transit solution that will get passengers to their
destinations more quickly, and significantly relieve pressure on
Ottawa's existing traffic
congestion, including its bus infrastructure.
"We and our partners are truly honoured to have
been selected to work with the City of
Ottawa to deliver a project that will benefit the National
Capital Region for many decades to come," said Robert G. Card, President and CEO, SNC-Lavalin
Group Inc. "The Confederation light rail project is
transformational in nature and will change the face of Canada's capital. This landmark project will
also provide significant economic and environmental benefits,
resulting in considerable time savings to commuters and fewer
vehicles on the road."
With a construction cost estimated at
approximately $1.8 billion, the
Confederation Line represents the biggest capital undertaking in
the history of the City of Ottawa.
Work on the Confederation Line and the widening of Highway 417 will
commence in the spring of 2013, with revenue service anticipated in
spring of 2018.
SNC-Lavalin is one of the leading engineering
and construction groups in the world and a major player in the
ownership of infrastructure, and in the provision of operations and
maintenance services. Founded in 1911, SNC-Lavalin has offices
across Canada and in over 40 other
countries around the world, and is currently working in some 100
countries. www.snclavalin.com
SOURCE SNC-LAVALIN