VICTORIA, B.C. — Three firms were unveiled last week as the frontrunners to undertake a design/build contract for the Pitt River Bridge/Mary Hill Interchange project.

The Gateway Program shortlisted the three firms through a Request for Qualification (RFQ) process earlier this year. These firms have experience on large construction projects in North America and around the world, according to the Ministry of Transportation.

The shortlist will be followed by a Request for Proposal (RFP), offered to Peter Kiewit and Sons, Pitt River Constructors, and Vinci Construction Grands Projets S.A.S. in the coming weeks.

The $194-million Pitt River Bridge/Mary Hill Interchange is a component of the North Fraser Perimeter Road. The project includes a new high-level bridge across the Pitt River, replacing the two existing swing bridges and a new interchange at the Lougheed Highway and the Mary Hill Bypass in Port Coquitlam.

The design will include bike lanes across the bridge, and the bridge will be engineered to accept light rail transit at a later date.

Completed proposals will be due to the Gateway Program in the fall and a contract to design and build the Pitt River Bridge/Mary Hill Interchange will then be awarded to the successful proponent.

There are three major projects within the Gateway Program: The North Fraser Perimeter Road project, the South Fraser Perimeter Road project and the Port Mann Bridge/Highway 1 project.

Additional information about the Gateway Program can be found at www.gatewayprogram.bc.ca.