VIA Rail awards contracts to Winnipeg-based firms for Union Station Renovation and LRC car components

Contracts worth $4.5 million granted

MONTREAL, Oct. 17, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - VIA Rail Canada (viarail.ca) announced today that it has signed agreements worth $4.5 million with locally-based Winnipeg companies for the renovation of Winnipeg Union Station as well as for components for its Light, Rapid, Comfortable (LRC) Business Class cars which are used in the Québec City - Windsor corridor.

$3.5 million granted to Union Station
VIA Rail will be undertaking over $6.5 million of renovations to its Heritage station in Winnipeg, the largest building owned by the corporation. Of the $6.5 million, VIA Rail has, to date, confirmed $3.5 million in contracts to Winnipeg-based companies, which will create over 80 jobs in the construction sector, have a positive impact on the region and boost its economy.

Among the most notable contract partners are ABCO Supply & Service, Security Decorating, Bockstael Construction, Westwood Mechanical Inc. and Bridgman Collaborative Architecture.

The investment, originally announced in 2012, will be used to improve waiting areas, electrical and security systems, accessibility and the exterior of the Heritage building. The washrooms will also undergo a major renovation to make them more accessible and spacious, and some repairs and restoration will be done to the Rotunda - one of the most distinctive features of the station. The new funding tops the $3.5 million already invested in renovation and upgrade projects since 2007, which included repairs to the heating and cooling systems. This previous work ultimately led to Union Station's BOMA BESt Level 2 designation by the Building Owners and Managers Association of Manitoba.

The 120,000 square foot building, located in the heart of Winnipeg, has welcomed thousands of Canadians and visitors over the years. It is also home to other tenants including Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Manitoba Conservation (Province of Manitoba), federal government employees, Environment Canada and Red River College.

Enduron awarded contract as part of new LRC car modernization
In addition to the real estate improvement investments, a contract worth close to $1 million was awarded to the Winnipeg-based firm Enduron Custom Inc. to deliver washroom modules as part of the modernization of 25 of VIA Rail's Light - Rapid - Comfortable (LRC) Business Class cars for use in the Québec City - Windsor corridor.

Under the agreement, Enduron will be working with two other Winnipeg-based companies, Carlson Engineered Composites and Argus Industries who will provide the fibreglass reinforced plastic components as well as the seals and rubber components.

In 2007, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $516 million dollars over five years to improve passenger rail service. A further $407 million was added in 2009 as part of the Economic Action Plan, aimed at stimulating Canada's economy. In 2012 the federal government allocated another $60 million toward more capital improvements. All together, the $983 million is the largest capital investment in VIA Rail's history. With this funding, the Corporation has been improving its rail infrastructure, renewing its locomotives and passenger cars, and renovating or building new stations. These upgrades have been increasing overall safety and security, reducing travel time and allowing for more daily departures in some areas of the VIA Rail network. Equipment and facilities have become more reliable, efficient and environmentally friendly.

About VIA Rail Canada
As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail Canada's mandate is to provide safe, efficient and economical passenger transportation service, in both official languages of our country. VIA operates intercity, regional and transcontinental trains linking 450 communities across its 12,500-kilometre route network. Recipient of the Railway Association of Canada's Safety Award in 2012 for the 11^th time in 12 years, and of the 2013 Agent's Choice Award voted by Canadian travel agents and presented by Baxter Travel Media, VIA Rail safely transports nearly four million passengers annually. Since 2007, the Government of Canada has invested almost a billion dollars in VIA Rail. Follow the progress of our transformation at viarail.ca/transformingvia.

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SOURCE: VIA Rail Canada Inc.

For further information:

Mylène Bélanger
Senior Media Relations Advisor
VIA Rail Canada
514 871-6137 | 1 877 393-8787
[e-mail] | [e-mail]