Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to three prequalified teams to design, build and finance the next section of the Highway 3 Expansion project. This includes widening a 15.6-kilometre stretch from two to four lanes from Essex to Leamington. Construction is currently underway to widen 4.9 kilometres of Highway 3 from Maidstone Avenue to Arner Townline in Essex and is expected to be completed in 2023.
“By widening Highway 3, we are delivering on our promise to make travel easier and safer for the thousands of people who depend on this roadway each day,” said Caroline Mulroney, minister of transportation. “This project will support good jobs during construction, and once complete, ensure that our truck drivers and carriers can get their goods to market more quickly.”
Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) announced the three shortlisted teams in October. Thy were selected based on criteria identified in a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process that began in June 2021. Selection criteria included the relevant design, construction and financing experience to deliver the project. Shortlisted teams include:
ERIE SHORES INFRASTRUCTURE PARTNERS (ESIP)
- Applicant Lead – Brennan Infrastructures Inc. & Amico Infrastructures Inc.
- Design Prime Team Member(s) – Parsons Inc. & EXP Services Inc.
- Construction Team – Brennan Infrastructures Inc., Amico Infrastructures Inc., Colas Projects Canada Inc.
- Financial Advisor – Operis Business Engineering Limited
COCO PAVING INC.(CPI)
- Applicant Lead – Coco Paving Inc.
- Design Prime Team Member(s) – Dillon Consulting Ltd. & Golder Associates Ltd.
- Construction Team – Coco Paving Inc.
- Financial Advisor – National Bank Finance
HIGHWAY 3 CORRIDOR DEVELOPERS (H3CD)
- Applicant Lead – Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc. & Plenary Americas L.P.
- Design Prime Team Member(s) – Consor Engineers LLC
- Construction Team – Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc.
- Financial Advisor – Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc.
“Our government is committed to investing in meaningful infrastructure projects that make a real improvement in the safety, efficiency and productivity of Ontarians,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “Projects such as Highway 3 are crucial to ensuring goods and supplies, including vaccines and PPE, can be delivered efficiently and quickly. In every corner of our province, we are getting shovels in the ground faster, building smarter, and expanding and enhancing critical infrastructure that will pave the way for Ontario to bounce back stronger than ever.”
Highway 3 is a critical highway that provides both regional and international connectivity. Upgrades to Highway 3 in the County of Essex are expected to improve traffic movement, increase highway capacity and enhance highway safety.
This project is being delivered through Infrastructure Ontario’s Public-Private Partnership (P3) model.
Widening Highway 3 to four lanes from Essex to Leamington is one of over 40 actions in Connecting the Southwest: A Draft Transportation Plan for Southwestern Ontario. The Southwestern Ontario Transportation Task Force, formed in January 2021, will continue to explore opportunities to build an integrated transportation system across all modes, including rail, bus, and local transit services.