FCC, in a collaborative effort, has secured the development contract for the Pape Tunnel and Underground Stations as part of the Ontario Line, a forthcoming rapid transit system in Toronto, Canada. This joint venture, formed by FCC Canada Ltd. and Webuild Civil Works Inc. in a 50/50 partnership, marks a significant step towards enhancing sustainable mobility in the region.
The chosen contract model for this endeavour is the "Progressive Design-Build" (PDB), an innovative approach that facilitates close collaboration between the project owners and development partners. The PDB model allows for a joint effort in developing the design, mitigating risks, and finalizing pricing before the actual implementation of the project.
The Ontario Line itself is a standalone rapid transit line, spanning 15.6 kilometers, and connecting the Eglinton Crosstown LRT (Line 5) at Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue in the northeast to Exhibition Place in the southwest. Comprising 15 stations, this new line aims to establish over 40 connections with various transportation modes, including subway, bus, streetcar, light-rail transit, and regional rail services.
The PDB model's key features include an extended collaboration phase during which both the project owner and the contractor work together to define project requirements, design, pricing, and risk through a Development Phase. This collaborative effort is anticipated to last around 24 months before the commencement of the construction phase.
The comprehensive contract covers the design, construction, supply, and operation of three kilometers of twin tunnels beneath Pape Avenue, spanning from the Gerrard tunnel portal to the Don Valley bridge. Additionally, it includes the creation of two underground stations (Pape and Cosburn), two tunnel portals, three emergency exit buildings, and a rail switch/crossover near Sammon Avenue. The Pape Station connection will interface with the Toronto Transit Commission Line 2 subway and associated infrastructure.
FCC Construcción has been a presence in the Canadian construction landscape for over 25 years. Their previous projects include the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Fredericton-Moncton Highway in 1998 and a section of the Toronto-York Spadina Subway extension in 2011. The company's successful completion of the latter project in 2018, the first modern underground subway infrastructure in the city, contributed to its continued involvement in the Canadian market.
This recent contract, coupled with their participation in the GO Rail Expansion-On Corridor Project and the Scarborough Subway Extension Stations, Rail, and Systems Project, solidifies FCC Construcción’s standing and commitment to the Canadian infrastructure development sector. 03/24.
