Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have issued two Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) for advance tunnelling work on the Scarborough Subway Extension and the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension – the first phase of work for the two projects.
The Scarborough Subway Extension is an approximate eight-kilometre extension of Line 2 from Kennedy Station to McCowan Road/Sheppard Avenue.
The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension is a 9.2-kilometre extension of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT (future TTC Line 5). The extension will run mostly underground, westward from the future Mount Dennis station to Renforth Drive. A possible future connection to Toronto Pearson International Airport is also being studied.
To expedite work on these projects, tunnelling will begin first, to be followed by separate contracts for the balance of the work on each project, which includes building the stations, fitting-out the tunnels and installing and commissioning the systems.
The RFQs issued outline the scope of work to design, build, and finance the tunnels.
Scarborough Subway Extension Tunnel:
- Tunnelling works for the approximate 8-kilometre subway extension, from Kennedy Station to McCowan Road/Sheppard Avenue
- Design and construction of launch and extraction shafts, tunnels, as well as headwalls for emergency exit buildings stations
- Supply tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and install segmental precast concrete tunnel liners
- Activities necessary to build the tunnel (e.g. utility relocations, supports for shaft and headwalls, temporary power supply, lighting, ventilation, and drainage)
Eglinton Crosstown West Extension Tunnel:
- Tunnelling works for approximately 6 kilometres of the 9.2-kilometre light rail transit extension
- Design and construction of launch and extraction shafts, tunnels, as well as headwalls for emergency exit buildings and stations
- Supply tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and install segmental precast concrete tunnel liners
- Activities necessary to build the tunnel (e.g. utility relocations, supports for shaft and headwalls, temporary power supply, lighting, ventilation, and drainage)
The RFQ is the first step in the procurement process to select teams to deliver the advanced tunnelling work for the two projects. Companies interested in bidding on these tunnelling contracts must register with www.merx.com to download the respective RFQs.
IO and Metrolinx will evaluate RFQ submissions. Teams that possess the relevant experience and capacity to deliver each project will be shortlisted and invited to respond to a Request for Proposals (RFP) in summer 2020.
