News Release Archive
TRANSPORTATION/COMMUNICATIONS--HIGHWAY 104 CONSULTANT ------------------------------------------------------------------ The Department of Transportation and Communications has selected Arthur Andersen and Company as consultants on the identification of, and negotiation with, a private sector partner for the construction of Highway 104 between Masstown and Thomson Station. The department estimates that construction can begin in late summer or fall of 1995. "This firm was selected from a field of seven who submitted proposals, and they provided the best combination of work plan, resources, and expertise to do the job," Transportation and Communications Minister Richie Mann said. The consultant will provide expertise in financial analysis, economics, as well as commercial and project management advice throughout the highway project. "The selection of Andersen was based on their capability, their experience in public/private ventures of similar size, their personnel, and their project management expertise," Mr. Mann said. The consultant will work with the department to establish the criteria for inviting formal proposals from some or all of the seven groups that submitted expressions of interest in constructing and operating the highway. This will involve contacting each of the seven groups with a request for additional information to allow evaluation against a standard set of qualifying criteria. Concurrently, the consultant will also develop and analyze financing alternatives for the project. Andersen was selected through a process that involved interviews of the short listed consultants by a board involving personnel from the Departments of Transportation and Communications, Finance, Justice, Municipal Affairs, and Education. "The people who were on the board were selected on the basis of their professional expertise, or their involvement with other private/public partnerships, or both," the minister said. "Our objective is to ensure that we have the best possible expertise and advice that we can afford during these critical early stages of this project," Mr. Mann said. He indicated that the contract was being negotiated with the consultant, which would identify the specific resources and costs involved. One important component of this contract will be the identification of points in the process where either the department or the consultant can terminate the relationship. --30-- Contact: Donna McCready, 424-8687 lm January 6, 1995