Transport Canada has awarded CAD 150m ($110m) for the construction of a new container terminal for the Montreal Port Authority in Contrecoeur, Quebec.
The previous design-build-finance-operate-maintain (DBFOM) procurement process from November 2021 to handle both the terminal’s construction and operation did not provide any bidders since circumstances like interest rates and inflation changed since that time.
Under the new construction plan, the new terminal will include a 675-meter-long dock with a ship approach area, a rail network linking to existing Canadian National Railway tracks, road access connecting the terminal to the public network, a container handling yard as well as operations and administrative buildings.
The project will be executed in a hybrid manner. Marine works will be entirely managed by the Montreal Port Authority, acting as the prime contractor. This phase encompasses dock construction and dredging work, employing a design-build approach with specialized assistance for the next 9 to 12 months. After that, the port authority will assign project works based on its procurement processes and present an updated schedule for this component.
The expansion of the Port in Contrecoeur will fortify Canada’s supply chain and prevent future product shortages and associated price hikes, as witnessed during the pandemic. The funding will also enhance the economic resilience of the St. Lawrence-Great Lakes corridor and will enable the Montreal Port Authority to implement a new delivery model for the expansive expansion project on Montreal’s South Shore.
The land site works and operations will be carried out in partnership with a private entity. A request for proposal will be issued in early 2024 to select a private partner for building the terminal, or more precisely, the container yard, buildings, facilities, and rail connection. The chosen partner will also operate and maintain the terminal under a DBFOM model, excluding the water-based project works.
-Source(splash247)
