The short-list for the main contract on a $2.1-billion subway project in Vancouver just got shorter.

Embattled engineering and construction giant SNC-Lavalin has taken itself out of the running. That leaves two other bidding groups, one led by Acciona Infrastructure and Ghella Canada, the other Broadway Connect, featuring Aecon Infrastructure and ACS Infrastructure.

Shortlist

The project involves a 3.5-mile extension of the Millennium line under Broadway that will “extend the existing SkyTrain system seamlessly from VCC-Clark Station to a new terminus station at Arbutus Street,” according to British Columbia transportation officials' description.

The winning bidder of the P3 project will be responsible for $342 million (US) in financing during the construction period, as well as designing and building the subway line extension.

Provincial officials are slated to pick a winner by mid-2020, with tunneling slated to start next year and the new extension scheduled to open in 2025.

The Acciona-Ghella Joint Venture also includes an array of Canadian and international industry players including: IBI Professional Services (Canada) Inc., DIALOG BC Architecture Engineering Interior Design Planning Inc., Mott MacDonald Canada Ltd., Ingenieria Especializada de Obra Civil e Industrial, S.A., Parsons Inc., and Corporacion Acciona Infraestructuras, S.L.

Meanwhile, the Broadway Connect bidding group, led by Dragados and Aecon Infrastructure, also includes: ACS Infrastructure Canada, Inc., Hatch Ltd., WSP Canada Inc., Dr. G. Sauer & Partners, VIA Architecture, Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, a Division of Wood Canada Ltd., and SENER.