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Five teams are prequalified to build and finance the Barrie Rail Corridor Expansion - Grading project. Teams were selected based on their construction capability, experience, qualified personnel and financial capacity to deliver a project of this size and scope. They are:

• Steelhead Constructors (Aecon/Dufferin)
• EllisDon Infrastructure Transit
• Barrie Corridor Construction Partners (Bot/Brennan)
• Dragados (Dragados Canada Inc.)
• Graham Commuter Rail Solutions

A request for proposal is expected to be released in 2018.

As reported before, on June 12, 2017, Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for interested parties to build and finance the Barrie Rail Corridor Expansion - Grading Project. The infrastructure upgrades are required to accommodate the planned increase in service on the Barrie GO line.

The RFQ outlines the scope of work required, which includes:

• Double track expansion on the Barrie Corridor Line, including grading, between Union Station and Aurora GO Station
• Track and signals upgrades to support double track expansion
• Noise and retaining walls
• Bridge expansions at Sheppard Avenue West, Major Mackenzie Drive and Yonge Street

This project is part of Metrolinx's work in support of GO Regional Express Rail (RER). GO RER will provide faster, more frequent and more convenient transit service across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), including electrification of core segments of the GO rail network by 2024-25. The program will provide new travel choices for commuters, significantly increase transit ridership, cut journey times and help manage congestion across the GTHA.

Major infrastructure updates are required to bring this level of service to communities across the region, including: adding track, modifying GO stations, improving rail crossings, building required systems for electrification and adding new locomotives and train control systems.