Buttcon, Pomerleau chosen for VIA maintenance centre projects in Toronto and Montreal
VIA Rail has awards contracts for the modernization of maintenance centres in Toronto and Montreal. The work is being done ahead of the company taking delivery of 32 new trains that will serve the Québec City-Windsor corridor.
The contract for the construction of the facility in Toronto, which is located at 50 Drummond Street in Etobicoke, has been awarded to Buttcon Limited. The Montreal project has been awarded to Pomerleau. Funding for both projects was provided in the 2018 federal budget, and construction will begin in the spring of 2023.
"We are proud to work with two exceptional Canadian partners on these two projects," said VIA Rail President and CEO Martin R Landry. "The modernization of our maintenance centres is an important step in the fleet replacement program and in VIA Rail's overall modernization process. These centres will allow us to maintain the new Corridor fleet that embodies the vision we have for the VIA Rail of tomorrow."
"In partnership with VIA Rail, and its team, we are thrilled to have been awarded this incredible modernization project," said Peter Di Gaetano, President and CEO, Buttcon Limited. "We bring to the table a qualified team of design and construction professionals offering a wealth of knowledge and experience."
The Toronto Maintenance Centre project includes building and facility infrastructure upgrades required at the facility to continue servicing and maintaining VIA’s legacy fleet and its new fleet.
The project is currently in the design phase. While minor work could start this winter, on-site construction activities will begin in spring 2023, with a targeted completion date of 2026.
The first train in VIA’s new fleet welcomed its first passengers onboard in November 2022. A full commercial launch is planned for 2023.