Two companies have qualified to bid to lead the expansion of the Halifax Infirmary, a major component of the QEII New Generation project.

EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare and Plenary PCL Health will bid on the public-private-partnership project, which includes designing, building, financing and maintaining the expansion of the Infirmary site of the QEII Health Sciences Centre.

The expansion includes a new QEII Cancer Centre, a new outpatient centre, an expanded inpatient centre (hospital beds and operating rooms) and a new innovation and learning centre.

Technical submissions are due in November 2020, with final financial submissions due in December 2020.

The QEII New Generation project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that will better meet the health-care needs of Nova Scotians. Along with the expansion of the Halifax Infirmary, the redevelopment project includes the construction of a Community Outpatient Centre in Bayers Lake, the expansion and renovations of Dartmouth General Hospital and new and renovated operating rooms at Hants Community Hospital in Windsor, now completed.

This work will allow services to be moved out of the aging Centennial and Victoria buildings on the Victoria General site, to prepare for their eventual closure.