No. H 149/08
For release - June 19, 2008
MONTREAL - The Governments of Canada and Quebec announced that Nouvelle Autoroute 30, S.E.N.C. has been selected to sign a 35-year partnership agreement for the design, construction, financing, operation, maintenance and repair of Highway 30.
Nouvelle Autoroute 30, S.E.N.C. is made up of the following members:
- Acciona Concessions Canada Inc.
- Iridium Concessions Canada Inc.
- Acciona Infrastructures Canada Inc.
- Dragados Canada Inc.
- S.I.C.E.
- Arup Canada Inc.
- Construction DJL Inc.
- Verreault Inc.
These companies are already working on major road infrastructure projects.
"Once again, the partnership between the Governments of Canada and Quebec to complete the western section of Highway 30 is delivering real results," said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "This project, which will help ease road congestion by providing drivers with a way to bypass the Island of Montreal, is a priority to the Government of Canada. Since this is a major public-private partnership, Canadians can be assured that this is a sound investment of their hard-earned dollars."
Quebec Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Mauricie region, Julie Boulet, said that this new infrastructure will create 18,900 direct and indirect jobs during the course of the construction. "This infrastructure will make a significant contribution to the Quebec economy and enable drivers to bypass the Island of Montreal easily and safely," said Minister Boulet. "The announcement of the selected candidate constitutes another step in the achievement of this important project for the Greater Montreal."
The Minister of Finance and the President of the Treasury Board, Monique Jérôme-Forget, highlighted the benefits of the public-private partnership (PPP) formula for this major project: "This PPP project will ensure that the work is done on schedule and without any cost overruns. This approach will provide the best value for Quebeckers; it's a proven formula when it comes to ensuring due diligence, keeping on schedule and generating savings."
According to Jean-Marc Fournier, Quebec Minister of Revenue, Minister responsible for the Montérégie region and Government House Leader, this is a key step in this major project. "The residents of Montreal and the Montérégie region have been impatiently waiting for this project," said Minister Fournier. "The completion of Highway 30 will have a major beneficial impact on the entire highway system. The highway will help boost trade with our Ontario and U.S. partners, and economic development projects in the Montérégie region."
The partnership agreement is expected to be signed in September 2008. Between now and then, Transport Quebec and the winning bidder will finalize the financing details.
Based on the planned schedule, the new highway should be open in 2012.
Private partner to be responsible for secondary roads maintenance
In addition, the private partner will be responsible for maintaining, operating and repairing approximately 32 kilometres of roads, under a traditional arrangement, for the same period of 35 years.
The project to complete Highway 30 will provide the Greater Montreal Area with a south bypass. The 42-kilometre western section extends from Vaudreuil-Dorion to Châteauguay and includes a section that connects to Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. Transport Quebec is currently building the 13-kilometre eastern section, south of Candiac, Delson and Saint-Constant, under a traditional arrangement.
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