Fierce competition for Toronto 407 ETR highway expansion contract

917 ACS of Spain and 2717 Ferrovial are competing for the contract to construct and exploit the second phase of expanding the 407 ETR highway in Toronto, Canada – one of the world’s biggest toll highways.

Ferrovial has been managing the 407 ETR highway since 1999 and secured the first phase of its expansion. Currently, ACS and Ferrovial lead two of the three groups invited to present bids for the second phase of the expansion. The third group is headed by Canada's 2482 SNC Lavalin, which is Ferrovial's current partner in the management of the current stretch of the highway. The groups are being given six months to present their proposals. The second phase highway expansion project consists of the construction, financing and operation of another 23km of the 407 ETR highway to the East - a new stretch that will link Clarintong and Oshawa, which will also have four lanes each way.

The first 407 ETR highway expansion phase will add 22km to the overall route, which currently runs for 108km, with the new highway stretch forecast to start operating in late-2015. The second 407 ETR highway expansion stretch will be brought online in stages with one stretch starting operation in 2017, and the rest in 2020.