Arup wins technical advisor role on massive Canadian railway upgrade programme

Image: Metrolinx

Engineering consultancy Arup is to serve as technical advisor on a major commuter rail upgrade project in Canada.

Arup will work for Metrolinx on the CAN$13.5 billion (US$10 billion) GO Expansion programme.

The project involves transforming the rail network and introducing new electric rails along core segments of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area (GTHA), as GO Transit moves to add two-way, all-day GO train services to cities and towns outside Toronto.

Currently, only about 1% of North America’s rail networks are electrified, compared to 60% of commuter rail lines in Europe.

Arup will lead a team including subconsultants Aecom, Egis and Network Rail, supporting Metrolinx’s technical management office to map out the transformation of one of North America’s largest commuter rail systems.

The On Corridor Works (OnCorr) project is the largest capital infrastructure project in the GO Expansion programme. OnCorr includes all works to facilitate an expansion of train service, including train infrastructure, train fleet, civil works, signalling, electrification, network control, communication systems and fleet procurement, as well as operations and maintenance of the GO Transit rail network.

One of the first stages of the project will involve the reconfiguration of tracks and platforms at Union Station, as trains continue to run.

Peter Guest, Arup’s Americas rail business leader, said: “Arup’s passenger rail experience expertise on more than 35 rail systems in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia will be especially relevant to guide this project.”