Requests out to complete $1-billion new highway around Montreal

The Canadian and Quebec governments have launched a request for qualifications from private sector partners to build and operate a $1-billion new highway. The project consists of the western section of Highway 30 to bypass Montreal.
The planned highway is 35 kilometres in length between Chateauguay and Vaudreuil-Dorion. There is also a seven kilometre section connecting to Salaberry-de-Valleyfield that will be renamed Highway 530. The section between Vaudreuil-Dorion and Candiac will provide the Montreal area with a four-lane bypass via the South Shore. It is expected that the section between Chateauguay and Vaudreuil-Dorion will have a toll.
The Government of Quebec is inviting national and international companies to submit their credentials to design, build, fund, operate and maintain the highway. Three candidates will be selected to respond to the Request for Proposals, which is scheduled for May 2007. The process is being carried out by Transport Quebec and Partenariats public-prive Quebec (PPP Quebec).
At the announcement on November 5, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, said “This new south bypass will … contribute to the development of markets in Montreal and the Monteregie region and provides greater access to markets in Ontario, the Maritimes and the United States.”
Quebec Premier Jean Charest said “This project, which is finally becoming a reality, will help to ease road congestion in Montreal, stimulate economic development in Monteregie and promote the export of goods to external markets.”
For details on the request for qualifications, see www.seao.ca