Request Issued for Infrastructure Advisor Support

The province has issued a request for proposals for advisors to support development of new highway, corrections and mobile radio strategic infrastructure partnerships.

The goal is to create a list of experts to provide advice on business, taxation, financial and commercial aspects of the projects during the business case analysis and procurement. The advisors could be called on by government teams working on the projects.

"We want to ensure we have access to people with experience and knowledge in planning and implementing projects using a public-private partnership procurement," said Murray Scott, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal.

"We routinely use industry expertise on our construction projects, and this advice will help make sure we're developing high quality projects that are in the best interests of taxpayers."

Earlier this year the province announced it was moving forward with a detailed analysis and procurement plans for two new correctional facilities, twinning of Highway 104 from Sutherlands River to Canso Causeway, and a new mobile radio communications system for first responders.

The results of the analysis is expected in early 2009 and will be reviewed to determine whether to proceed with the projects as strategic infrastructure partnerships with the private sector. Projects moving forward will result in requests for expressions of interest in the spring, and requests for proposals in the summer.