British Columbia expects to reach financial close with SNC-Lavalin and Graham Building Services on the design-build-finance (DBF) component of the 11-km Evergreen light transit line in Vancouver before year-end.

The estimated Cdn $1-billion contract will see SNC/Graham finance about Cdn $400 million in construction costs in excess of progress payments through the construction period and for two years of startup operations of the automated line.

Also competing were Vinci/ Bombardier; and Kiewit/ Flatiron/Hochtief.