The City of Winnipeg, Canada, has released the request for proposals (RFP) for the Southwest Rapid Transitway (Stage 2) and Pembina Highway Underpass PPP project.

In March this year Winnipeg's officials announced that the following three teams were shortlisted:

• Plenary Roads Winnipeg - led by Plenary Group Canada, PCL Constructors Canada Inc., Alberta Highway Services Limited (a division of ColasCanada Inc).

• Red River Infrastructure Group - led by HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions North America Inc., Ledcor Infrastructure Investments Inc., Flatiron Constructors Canada Limited, Ledcor CMI Limited, Ledcor Alberta Limited,AECOM, McElhanney.

• WinnCity Transportation Partners - led by Aecon, Gracorp/Graham, BBGI.

City staff will will announce the successful bidder in mid 2016. Construction of the project is expected to begin in the summer of 2016, with completion in late 2019.

The project includes the completion of Stage 2 of the Southwest Transitway, the addition of active transportation infrastructure, the renewal and expansion of the Pembina Underpass, and connections to the University of Manitoba and Investors Group Field.

The project will be developed on a design, build, finance, operate, maintain (DBFOM) basis. The private partner will maintain it over a 30-year concession period from 2019 until 2049. The operations/maintenance component will not include the operation or maintenance of Winnipeg Transit buses.

The total project investment is estimated at CAD$590 million (US$454 million). 

The project will help accommodate anticipated population growth in southwest Winnipeg that is expected to lead to an estimated 40 per cent traffic increase on Pembina Highway by 2030. Once completed, the project improvements will allow for transportation options (buses, active transportation, cars, and trucks) to operate in a more sustainable and integrated manner.

Dave Wardrop, Director of Transit, stated:

"The release of the RFP marks a significant milestone for the project. When completed, Stage 2 of the Southwest Transitway will allow Winnipeg Transit to bypass heavy traffic volumes on Pembina Highway, leading to greater on-time reliability, higher travel speeds, and improved service to the surrounding neighbourhoods."