Ottawa – The City of Ottawa, in partnership with the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce and the Ottawa Business Journal, today hosted a successful Trade Show for Ottawa’s Light Rail Transit (OLRT) project at the new CE Centre. More than 250 representatives from local businesses and more than 75 international consortia members participated.

“Light Rail is a transformational project for our nation’s capital,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “It’s going to be one of the largest economic drivers in the City over the next decade. Local businesses recognize that - as shown by the tremendous turnout we are seeing today.”

On September 28, 2011, Council directed staff to organize a trade show to bring together Ottawa-area companies with the three consortia shortlisted to compete for the contract to build and maintain the OLRT Project contract.

“This project will be a boon to the local economy.” said Erin Kelly, Executive Director of the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, “This trade show has been a great first step in generating linkages for local businesses, and giving our local companies the opportunity to showcase their innovation and know-how.”

The OLRT project will be the largest infrastructure project in the City’s history, generating 20,000 person-years of employment and more than $3 billion in economic activity during construction alone.

“Today’s trade show is a concrete example of collaboration between governments, business leaders, and our local post-secondary institutions.” said Deputy Mayor and Gloucester-South Nepean Councillor Steve Desroches.

Following on the success of this Trade Show, the international consortia bidding on the OLRT project contract will be continuing to engage with local business to establish partnerships as they compete to win the contract for the largest infrastructure project in Ottawa’s history.

The Request for Proposal period for the project ends in July 2012 with the submission of the consortia’s design and cost. These submissions will be evaluated and a preferred proponent selected for Council approval in December 2012. Construction of the OLRT project is scheduled to begin in early 2013.

For more information about the OLRT Project, please visit www.ottawalightrail.ca