East-West Connectors, a consortium of Kiewit and Vinci, has been chosen to design, build and finance the extension of the Confederation Line 12.5km east from Blair to Trim Road and 15km west from Tunney’s Pasture to Moodie Drive and Baseline. The initial 12.5km section of the Confederation Line is expected to open in the spring, with the eastern extension due for completion in 2022 and the western extension in 2023. Stage 1 contractor Rideau Transit Group will maintain both extensions. TransitNext, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNC-Lavalin, has been selected as preferred proponent for the design-build-finance-maintain contract for the second phase of the diesel-operated north-south Trillium Line. This involves extending the line south from its current terminus at Greenboro to Riverside South, with a branch from South Keys to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport. The project will add 16km and eight stations to the Trillium Line. As part of the contract TransitNext will maintain the extension for 27 years. City councillors will review the report on the Stage 2 procurement results on March 6, when a vote on the contract award will also take place. Although procurement is at an advanced stage, funding for the project is still uncertain. Earlier this month, the city revealed the anticipated cost of Stage 2 had risen by $C 1.2bn to $C 4.66bn. The city will contribute $C 2.56bn and plans to borrow an extra $C 700m over the next 30 years to help cover the cost escalation, although this will require changes to the city’s debt policy. The Canadian federal government has allocated $C1.2bn for the project and the previous administration of the province of Ontario committed $C 1.2bn to Stage 2 in May 2018. Ontario’s Progressive Conservative party leader Mr Doug Ford, who became the provincial premier in June 2018, pledged to support the project during last year’s provincial election campaign. However, despite assurances to Ottawa’s mayor Mr Jim Watson, Ontario’s contribution to Stage 2 has still not been finalised. For detailed data on light rail projects in North America, subscribe to IRJ Pro.