On April 15, 2015, the Government of Canada announced that Signature on the Saint-Lawrence Group is the preferred proponent for the New Bridge for the St. Lawrence Corridor (NBSLC) project's public-private partnership (PPP).
Signature on the Saint-Lawrence Group is composed of 8 organizations, specifically:
- SNC-Lavalin
- ACS Infrastructure
- HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions
- Dragados
- Flatiron Construction
- MMM Group
- TY Lin International
- International Bridge Technologies
Signature on the Saint-Lawrence Group has significant experience carrying out major infrastructure projects such as the Port Mann Bridge in Vancouver, BC, the Bay Bridge linking San Francisco and Oakland, California and the Hoover Dam Bypass in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The NBSLC project is being procured as a PPP. This means that the selected private sector partner will be responsible to deliver the project at a pre-determined price with meaningful penalties in case of contract defaults. This allows for a good balance of risk sharing between the government and the private partner and provides financial certainty to the government and to taxpayers. It also offers guarantees that the infrastructure will be well maintained for the duration of the contract.
The two-step procurement process was announced on March 3, 2014. The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was posted on March 17, 2014 and six consortia submitted responses. On July 21, 2014, the three highest respondents were invited to the Request for Proposals (RFP) stage.
The RFP proposals were required to comply with the following rigorously defined technical criteria:
- Time Management
- Management
- Design
- Construction
- Durability
- Architectural Guidelines
- Operations, Maintenance and Rehabilitation
- Tolling Approach
For example, proposals had to demonstrate how the new bridge would be completed by December 2018, designs had to be consistent with the definition design announced on June 27, 2014 and be able to accommodate public transit systems.
Signature on the Saint-Lawrence Group submitted the lowest cost, technically compliant proposal, which will help ensure value for money for taxpayers and high quality construction, designed to last 125 years. Signature on the Saint-Lawrence Group will design, build, finance, operate and maintain the NBSLC project over a 35-year term, with a commitment to deliver the project for a fixed price and by set dates.
The Government of Canada implemented a fair, open and transparent process based on a commercially accepted PPP procurement approach. Signature on the Saint-Lawrence Group has complied with all applicable laws and Public Works and Government Services Canada's Integrity Framework.
The procurement process was also overseen by a fairness monitor who provided an independent opinion that the process was fair, open and transparent.
In order to take advantage of the spring / summer 2015 construction season, an Early Works Agreement will be signed between Signature on the Saint-Lawrence Group and the Government of Canada. Signature on the Saint-Lawrence Group will begin early work over the coming weeks.
The Project Agreement will be executed between Signature on the Saint-Lawrence Group and the Government of Canada by the end of July 2015. Major construction will begin shortly after.
On October 5, 2011, the Government of Canada announced that the Champlain Bridge would be replaced by a new crossing. This is one of the busiest crossings in Canada and is a crucial corridor for the regional economy and for Canada as a whole.
The NBSLC project is one of the largest infrastructure projects in North America. The corridor-wide project not only includes a new bridge for the St. Lawrence, but a new Île-des-Soeurs Bridge and reconstruction and widening of the federal portion of Autoroute 15.
Through a PPP, the Government of Canada intends to deliver a world-class project on time and in a manner that ensures the best value for Canadian taxpayers. The project will create thousands of jobs and have a positive impact on the local, regional and national economies.
The new bridge is the priority component and will be in service by December 2018. The other components of the project will be completed by October 2019.
