Project|Rail, LRT and Transit Systems
Ottawa Light Rail Transit System
Torys acted as counsel to the lenders to Rideau Transit Group (ACS Infrastructure Canada/SNC-Lavalin/EllisDon), the successful proponent for the C$1.8 billion Ottawa Light Rail Transit PPP project to design, build, finance and maintain the first phase of a new light rail transit system in Ottawa, Ontario.
The project won Project Finance's 2013 North American PPP Deal of the Year Award.
Photo courtesy of Rideau Transit Group (RTG).
The project, also known as the Confederation line, is Ottawa's most significant infrastructure investment since the building of the Rideau Canal.
Highlights of the project include
- the conversion of the existing 12.5 km bus rapid transit corridor to a light rail transit system;
- upgrades to ten existing passenger stations
- the construction of three new underground passenger stations, a 2.5 km tunnel through Ottawa's downtown core, and a new maintenance and storage facility
- the procurement of an initial light rail vehicle fleet
- the widening and rehabilitation of 4 km of Highway 417
On February 12, 2013, Rideau Transit Group (ACS Infrastructure Canada/SNC-Lavalin/EllisDon) reached financial close on Ontario's first commuter rail PPP project and, on closing, one of the largest municipal PPP projects completed in Canada to date.
Further information on the financial closing can be found on Canada Newswire's website.
Torys acted as counsel with a team that included Mark Bain, Scott Kraag, Tara Mackay, Simon Williams, Sabrina Kumar and Graeme Murray.
Torys also acted on the following in connection with this project:
| Jurisdiction | Ottawa |
| Province/State | Ontario |
| Country | Canada |
| Nature of Engagement | Procurement, Project Finance, Public-Private Partnerships |
| Government Level | Municipal |
| Procurement Model | DBFM - Design Build Finance Maintain |
| Client | the lenders to Rideau Transit Group (ACS Infrastructure Canada/SNC-Lavalin/EllisDon) |
| Client Role | Lender |
| Value | $1,800,000,000 CAD |