Following a successful procurement, the Green Line Board approved the Development Phase Agreement and selected Bow Transit Connectors as Green Line’s Development Partner.
Bow Transit Connectors (BTC) brings together Barnard Constructors of Canada, LP, Flatiron Constructors Canada Ltd, and WSP Canada Inc, along with their financial advisor EllisDon Capital Inc. Collectively they bring shared expertise in underground, above-ground structures, and LRT design and construction to deliver Phase 1 of the Green Line LRT Project.
During the Development Phase, which began in May 2023, BTC is advancing design while the project cost, schedule and risk allocation are negotiated, prior to signing the Project Agreement in 2024 and beginning main construction.
In August 2023, we received the first checkpoint report from BTC.
Some of the progress highlights included:
- Onboarding and co-location of Green Line and BTC teams
- Project Charter developed and rolled-out
- Governance Plan submitted and approved
- The creation of 13 Technical and Functional Working Groups
- Design submittals mapped to January 2024
- Baseline schedule in progress
The next checkpoint will be in early 2024, with three key deliverables:
- Design progression
- Implementation Phase schedule
- Estimate
To support that work, Green Line and BTC are working collaboratively to undertake value engineering on structures, guideway, and stations, advance the design to help build the implementation schedule and bring on subcontractors to help understand effective construction means/method and sequencing. An additional due diligence program has also kicked off to support risk quantification and further define the appropriate allocation.
We are also exploring additional early work packages to continue to de-risk the project and provide certainty on price.
While these are active and confidential negotiations, the Green Line Board and project leadership team remain committed to updating Calgarians, City Council and our funding partners as we progress through the Development Phase.
Concurrent to the Development Phase activities, CAF, our Light Rail Vehicle provider, continues to work with the Green Line team to advance the design and production of the new fleet of trains. Additionally, we are on-track with two major Early Works projects: the Beltline and Downtown Utility Relocation Project and the 78th Avenue Project in Ogden. These are very significant projects on their own and help to reduce the overall project schedule and reduce risks during main construction.
Who is Bow Transit Connectors?
Bow Transit Connectors (BTC) is a joint venture entity created to deliver the Green Line LRT. BTC is led by transportation and infrastructure professionals with local Canadian experience delivering large, complex infrastructure projects.
Questions and answers
What is a Development Phase?
In the Design Build Finance with Development Phase model, a Development Partner is selected after the conclusion of the RFP stage. Throughout the Development Phase, the Development Partner will work collaboratively with the Green Line team during an approximately 16-month period to advance design and negotiate risks, price, and the project schedule
During this period, long-lead procurement and some work packages may proceed.
Following the Development Phase, the Project Agreement is signed, and the Implementation Phase begins.
What are the benefits of a Development Phase?
There are several significant benefits to including a Development Phase. For example, the fact that the owner and the contractor work in a collaborative and transparent manner to advance the design, understand risks, determine the project cost and schedule goes a long way in mitigating problems that can arise later in the life of the project to the extent possible.
Will local contractors be able to work on Green Line?
Absolutely. Our Development Partner has already identified some of their local sub-contractors and will be building out their teams going forward, building on the strength of Calgary’s local contractors, trades and suppliers.
When will we get more information about the design?
The design will be advanced throughout the Development Phase. At the conclusion of the Development Phase, Green Line will be able to share details with Calgarians. That being said, the Green Line team and Board will endeavour to provide as many updates as possible to ensure that Calgarians are informed throughout the process.
The Development Phase is essentially a 16-month negotiation between Green Line and our Development Partner, which means that not all information during this process can be shared.
When will we know about Phase 2?
Green Line is focused on Phase 1 of the project, from Shepard to Eau Claire. The Green Line Board is committed to managing costs and risks. Should costs of escalation and other risks not materialize during Phase 1, the Board will make a decision on timing and direction for Phase 2. The timeline for that decision has not been set.
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Green Line will award construction contracts through a fair competition. See current Request for Proposals (RFPs).
