Hitachi Rail STS — a member of the Mobilinx consortium — has signed a C$4.6 billion contract with Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx for the Hurontario LRT (light-rail transit) system.

The Mobilinx team — comprising John Laing, Astaldi, Hitachi, Amico, Bot, Salini Impregilo and Transdev — will design, build, finance, operate and maintain the system.

Following the design, construction and commissioning of the LRT system, Mobilinx will be responsible for its operation and maintenance for 30 years.

The contract value includes about C$2.1 billion in total capital costs for construction of the Hurontario LRT.

The 18km 19-stop system will run along Hurontario Street from Port Credit in Mississauga to Brampton Gateway Terminal and will operate in a ‘separated guideway with traffic priority throughout most of the corridor’.

When it opens in the autumn of 2024, the Hurontario LRT is expected to move up to 14 million passengers per year, reducing congestion and improving the municipal environment with its new electric vehicles.

Andrew Barr, Hitachi Rail Group CEO (www.hitachirail-eu.com), said: “This new line will make a significant difference to both the quality of life and the economic vitality of this region for decades to come.

"We are thrilled to help deliver Ontario’s expansion plan by making it easier and faster for people to get around the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area.

"Hitachi Rail continues to grow its presence in North America, and this project is an important step for the business.”

Hitachi Rail STS will install its advanced safety systems along the line and in the trains in order to assist the drivers with course, speed and traffic conditions.

The technology — known in the industry as Wayside Standard Platform CBTC — allows the vehicle’s cab to connect wirelessly to infrastructure along the track and to a control centre that has an AI system to advise the driver of the optimum safe speed, based on what is further down the line.

Mobilinx estimates that there will be about 800 workers on the project at the peak of construction, with up to 80% of the labour coming from the Greater Toronto Hamilton area.