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The Transportation Investment Corporation of British Columbia (Canada) has launched the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the George Massey Tunnel replacement PPP project.

As we informed in late June, the Government of British Columbia, issued a Request For Qualification (RFQ) for the project. Through the RFQ, the following three respondents were identified as eligible to receive this RFP and to be invited to participate further in the competitive selection process:

• Gateway Mobility Solutions:
  • Equity partners: ACS Infrastructure Canada Inc., Aecon Concessions, HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions North America Inc. and Star America Infrastructure Partners
  • Design-build contractors: Dragados Canada, Inc. and Flatiron Constructors Canada Limited
• Lower Mainland Connectors:
  • Equity partners: Kiewit Canada, Macquarie and VINCI Concessions
  • Design-build contractors: B.A. Blacktop, Janin Atlas Inc., and Peter Kiewit Infrastructure Co.
• Pacific Skyway Partners:
  • Equity partners: Fluor Canada Ltd., John Laing Investment Limited and SNC-Lavalin Capital Inc.
  • Design-build contractors: American Bridge Company, Fluor Canada Ltd., and SNC-Lavalin Constructors (Pacific) Inc.

The project involves design, build, partially finance, operate, maintain (DBFOM) of a new 10 lanes 3.3 km cable-stay bridge, the replacement of three key interchanges, and the upgrade of 24 km of the Highway 99. The bridge will have four general traffic lanes, one lane dedicated for high occupancy vehicles (HOV) and transit, and a multi-use pathway for pedestrians. It will also accommodate future SkyTrain line extension. 

The new bridge will replace the 1959-opened George Massey Tunnel under the Fraser River. It will be used by approximately 10,000 transit passengers and 80,00 vehicles per day. The new additional lanes are expected to increase the capacity alleviating the traffic and reducing collisions by an estimated 35%.

The concession contract will have a period of 30 years and the total project investment is estimated at CAD$3.5 billion (US$2.7 billion). 

The Port Mann Bridge is the last major toll bridge built in the region. The Transportation Investment Corporation anticipates it will lose CAD$102 million this fiscal year as motorists continue to choose non-tolled alternatives.

The Golden Ears Bridge, the other major toll bridge in the region, loses nearly CAD$40 million per year. It is expected that the new bridge will have an availability payment structure.

Construction works are scheduled to commence in 2017.

Interested firms must submit their proposals on or before March 15, 2017. 

You can have further information here.