A design-build consortium including SNC-Lavalin, Aecon, ACS Infrastructure Canada Inc. and EllisDon closed financing for the Eglinton Crosstown light rail line in Toronto, the firms said on July 24. The estimated $4.1-billion project will be one of Canada’s largest public-private partnerships.

The team was chosen last month as preferred bidder—responsible for design, build, finance, maintenance and lifecycle activities of the 19-km project for 30 years. 

Work, which will include 25 stations, an integrated system of track work, rolling stock, signaling and communications infrastructure, will start early next year. Each of the firms is an equal partner with a 25% interest in the project’s equity, development, construction and maintenance. The province also is investing in the project and other transit upgrades.