Infrastructure Projects to Watch in Canada, the UK and Dubai
Posted by Steve Thomas , Construction Recruitment Director, UK & Canada on Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Maxim Recruitment is an international recruitment business specialising in recruiting for the construction industry in locations including the UK, Canada and Dubai. We recruit jobseekers for employers on a range of building construction, housebuilding and civil engineering infrastructure projects.
Here we summarise some of the most interesting new and recently awarded civil engineering, aviation and rail infrastructure projects that are happening in 2025 in Toronto and Vancouver in Canada, in the UK and in Dubai.
Please browse through the information below for each location or you can jump to your area of greatest interest here:
TORONTO CANADA
There are 5 Key Toronto based transit infrastructure related projects now awarded, or likely to be awarded in 2025 that will be commencing construction soon.
Ontario Line – Pape Tunnel and Underground Stations
A major part of the Ontario Line, this package covers about 3 km of twin tunnels under Pape Avenue and two underground stations (Pape and Cosburn). The contract includes tunnel portals, underpinning Line 2 TTC infrastructure, and emergency exit buildings. Currently in the Progressive Design-Build development phase, the consortium is refining design and cost in collaboration with Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario. Full construction is expected to begin post-2025 award, with completion aligned to the Ontario Line opening in the early 2030s.
- Estimated Value: Approx. $3–4 billion (part of the $10.9B+ Ontario Line budget; specific contract value to be finalized in 2025/26)
- Development Partner (Selected): Pape North Connect (Webuild + FCC, with Arcadis and AECOM as design engineers).
- RFQ Issued: Late 2022
- Development Partner Selected: Jan 2024
- Full Contract Award (Expected): Late 2025 or Early 2026
- Early Works: Already commenced in 2024
Ontario Line – Elevated Guideway and Stations
This project delivers a 3 km elevated guideway and five elevated stations for the Ontario Line, spanning neighbourhoods from Riverside to Science Centre. It includes significant structural works, station buildings, and emergency infrastructure. Currently in the design refinement and cost development stage under a Progressive Design-Build model, construction is anticipated to start in late 2025 and continue into the late 2020s. The segment will be crucial to opening the Ontario Line in the early 2030s, offering rapid transit connections to the east side of Toronto.
- Estimated Value: Approx. $3–4 billion (part of the Ontario Line overall budget, to be finalized in 2025)
- Development Partner (Selected): Trillium Guideway Partners (TGP) – led by Acciona Infrastructure Canada + Amico Major Projects, with WSP Canada as design engineer
- RFQ Issued: 2022
- Development Partner Selected: Feb 2024
- Full Contract Award (Expected): Late 2025
- Early Works: Anticipated to begin during development phase (2024-2025)
Eglinton Crosstown West Extension – Stations, Rail and Systems (SRS)
The final major contract for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, the SRS package will deliver seven new stations, 1.5 km of elevated guideway, and all necessary track, power, and communications systems. This is a Progressive Design-Build contract with a target price, set to advance following award in 2025. After a collaborative design phase, full construction is expected to begin in 2026, with an operational target date around 2030-31. The extension will provide vital LRT access west of Mount Dennis toward Pearson Airport.
- Estimated Value: Approx. $2–4 billion (part of total $4.7B project budget)
- Integrated Transit Partners – Sacyr, NGE, Siemens Mobility (with Hatch, Egis as design partners)
- Trillium Rail Partners – Amico, Alberici, Acciona (with WSP as designer).
- WestEnd Transit Solutions – Aecon, AtkinsRéalis (SNC-Lavalin), Pomerleau, Dragados (with AtkinsRéalis, Arcadis as design partners)
- RFQ Issued: March 2024
- RFP Issued: Sept 27, 2024
- Contract Award (Expected): Mid-to-late 2025
- Construction Start (Expected): 2026 (following design development phase)
East Harbour Transit Hub
East Harbour will be a key multimodal hub connecting GO Transit and the Ontario Line in East Toronto. Designed to ease congestion at Union Station, it includes new GO platforms, Ontario Line connections, concourse levels, and a bus terminal. Delivered through an Alliance model (Bird, AtkinsRéalis, Hatch with Metrolinx), the development phase focused on refining design and cost, and the final construction agreement was signed in March 2025. Full station construction starts in 2025, with phased completion by 2029, aligning with Ontario Line operations.
- Estimated Value: Estimated $500M+ (no public exact figure, funded through SmartTrack and Metrolinx budgets).
- Alliance Partners (Selected): Rail Connect Partners – Bird Construction + AtkinsRéalis (SNC-Lavalin), with Hatch as lead designer.
- RFQ Issued: 2022
- Alliance Development Agreement (ADA) Signed: Jan 2024
- Final Award (Project Alliance Agreement): March 10, 2025
- Construction Start: 2025
Bloor–Yonge Station Capacity Improvements
This critical TTC project will double the capacity of Bloor-Yonge Station by adding a new eastbound Line 2 platform, widening Line 1 platforms, and creating new entrances, exits, and elevators. As Toronto’s busiest interchange, this upgrade will ease congestion and prepare the system for future ridership growth tied to network expansions like the Ontario Line and Yonge North Extension. Procurement is in final stages, with award expected in 2025 and construction commencing shortly after. Major works will be phased from 2025 to around 2030 to minimize disruption to ongoing subway operations.
- Estimated Value: $1.5 billion (funded by City of Toronto, Ontario, and Canada).
- Bloor-Yonge Crossline Partners – led by Aecon Infrastructure.
- EllisDon–Barnard JV – EllisDon Civil Ltd. + Barnard Constructors.
- Kenaidan–Murphy JV – Kenaidan Infrastructure + Murphy Infrastructure (UK).
- RFQ Completed: 2023 (shortlisted three teams)
- RFP Issued: March 5, 2024
- Contract Award (Expected): Late 2024 / Early 2025
- Construction Start: 2025
VANCOUVER, CANADA
There are 4 new and expected projects worth a focus on for 2025/2026, and that is in addition to a number of ongoing projects such as Pattullo Bridge construction which is already at peak construction. The projected selected comprise two rail, a tunnel and a port expansion project:
Surrey-Langley SkyTrain (Expo Line Extension)
The Surrey-Langley SkyTrain is a major 16-km extension of the Expo Line from King George to Langley, including eight new stations, elevated guideways, and rail systems. It will serve rapidly growing communities in Surrey and Langley. With main construction packages expected to be awarded by 2025, this project will create massive multi-year opportunities (2025–2029) in civil works, rail systems, and transit infrastructure. Expected to open by 2028, but construction likely to continue through testing/commissioning beyond 2028.
- $4.01 billion (fully funded by BC and the federal government).
- Early works: Tybo Contracting Ltd., B&B Heavy Civil Construction Ltd.
- Main packages: RFQ/RFP ongoing for design-build and systems packages (award expected 2025). Major firms (e.g., PCL, Acciona, Aecon, Dragados) are likely contenders for elevated guideway, stations, and systems contracts.
- Early works awarded: 2023.
- Main RFQs: Issued mid-2023.
- Expected main contract award: Late 2024 or early 2025.
- Major construction start: 2025.
Massey Tunnel Replacement Project (Fraser River Crossing)
The project will replace the aging Massey Tunnel with an 8-lane immersed tube tunnel, including dedicated transit/HOV lanes, cycling and pedestrian paths. A massive marine and civil infrastructure project, this new tunnel will connect Richmond and Delta. With contract award in 2025 and construction extending through 2030, this is one of the largest infrastructure projects in BC, offering long-term opportunities for marine, civil, tunneling, and structural contractors. Major utility and road interface works will be critical early phases.
- $4.15 billion (fully funded by Government of BC).
- Shortlisted for RFQ (announced 2023):
- Flatiron Constructors Canada Limited and Dragados Canada, Inc. (JV)
- Gateway Mobility Solutions (Bechtel Canada + Acciona Infrastructure Canada Inc.)
- Fraser River Tunnel Constructors (Aecon Infrastructure + Vinci Construction + J.F. White)
- RFQ issued: 2022.
- Shortlist announced: March 2023.
- RFP issued to shortlist: 2023.
- Expected award: Mid to late 2025.
- Construction start: Late 2025 / early 2026.
Roberts Bank Terminal 2 (Port of Vancouver Expansion)
Roberts Bank Terminal 2 is a planned major marine container terminal expansion near Delta, BC, to increase container capacity at Canada’s largest port. The scope includes a new three-berth container terminal, deep-water berth construction, dredging, and associated infrastructure, including rail and road connections. Construction is expected to take at least six to seven years (2026–2033). The project will generate major opportunities for marine, dredging, heavy civil, environmental, and port infrastructure specialists.
- $3.5 billion (Port of Vancouver – Vancouver Fraser Port Authority).
- Shortlisted consortia (RFQ closed 2023):
- Seaspan-Graham consortium.
- Dragados-Flatiron joint venture.
- Bechtel-PCL consortium.
- (Exact list to be confirmed after RFP stage).
- RFQ closed: 2023
- RFP issued to shortlisted teams: 2024.
- Final award expected: Late 2025 or early 2026
- Construction start: 2026
Vancouver Broadway to UBC SkyTrain Extension (Future Expansion – Still in Planning)
The next phase of SkyTrain expansion to connect Arbutus to UBC over ~7 km with multiple new underground stations. While still in the planning and funding advocacy stage, the project has strong political and public support. If approved and funded, it would be a major multi-billion-dollar project extending construction well into the 2030s. Procurement may begin as early as 2025 for early design and geotechnical work, making this a significant pipeline opportunity for heavy civil, tunnelling, and rail systems contractors.
- Estimated $4–6 billion (early estimates; depends on design/funding decisions).Planning and technical studies ongoing by TransLink, Province of BC, and City of Vancouver. No contractors awarded yet.
- Planning/Business Case: Ongoing (2023–2025).
- Potential RFQ for early works/design: Possible late 2025–2026.
UNITED KINGDOM
London/Scotland/Yorkshire/Manchester/Leeds/Cambridge
5 projects are highlighted below as ones to watch in the UK in 2025. The HS2, new line between London and Birmingham is ongoing, and recent updates provided by HS2 in January 2025 indicate that 42 of 52 viaducts are currently under construction and 103 of 175 bridges are under construction with 12 now completed, with 70% of the total tunnelling now completed.
Lower Thames Crossing
The Lower Thames Crossing is a major new project expected to start, with a lot of the pre-construction work now mostly completed.
The Eastern Green Links and other future renewable energy projects are for many, controversial and may be subject to political changes of direction. The water sector is also approaching AMP8 which will increase the letting of specific work to delivery partners.
- £9.2–£10.2 billion (subject to financing methods).
- Main Contractors: To be determined (procurement ongoing).
- Design and Consultancy: Various firms involved in planning and environmental assessments.
- Planning Consent: Pending; expected decision in 2025.
- Construction Start: Anticipated in 2026.
- Completion: Targeted for 2032.
Eastern Green Links (EGL1 and EGL2)
The Eastern Green Links are two planned submarine high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power cables designed to strengthen the UK National Grid by delivering 4 GW of renewable energy from Scottish wind farms to England. EGL1 connects Torness in Southeast Scotland to Hawthorn Pit in County Durham, while EGL2 runs from Peterhead in Scotland to the Drax Power Station in Yorkshire. Both projects involve extensive subsea and onshore construction, with completion and energization expected by 2029.
- Combined £3.4 billion for both links.
- EGL1: Joint venture between Scottish Power Transmission plc (SPT) and National Grid Electricity Transmission plc (National Grid).
- EGL2: Joint venture between SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET).
- Main Contractors: Prysmian, Hitachi Energy, and BAM (for EGL2).
- EGL1 Construction Start: February 2025.
- EGL2 Contracts Finalized: February 2024; construction commenced post-Ofgem approval in August 2024.
- Energization: Targeted for 2029.
Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU)
The Transpennine Route Upgrade is an extensive rail infrastructure project aimed at improving connectivity between Manchester, Leeds, and York. The project includes electrification, track upgrades, and station enhancements. Key milestones include the reopening of Morley and Stalybridge stations after significant upgrades in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The project is segmented into various sections with completion dates ranging from 2025 to 2032, reflecting its scale and complexity.
- £9 billion (as of the latest estimates).
- Main Contractors: BAM, Amey, AtkinsRéalis, among others.
- Consultants: Various engineering and design firms.
- Initial Funding Announced: 2011.
- Recent Contracts Awarded: September 2024 (BAM and Amey for Leeds-Huddersfield section); February 2025 (AtkinsRéalis for Stalybridge-Diggle section).
HS2 Bromford Tunnel
The Bromford Tunnel is a 5.6 km twin-bore tunnel forming a crucial part of the HS2 high-speed rail line, connecting Water Orton in North Warwickshire to Washwood Heath in Birmingham. The tunnel passes beneath the M6 motorway, River Tame, and Park Hall Nature Reserve. Construction involves two variable pressure TBMs, each weighing approximately 1,600 tonnes. The project aims to enhance rail connectivity and capacity between London and the Midlands, with tunnelling expected to be completed by autumn 2025.
- Part of HS2’s Phase One budget (Total Phase One estimated at £44.6 billion).
- Main Contractor: Balfour Beatty Vinci Joint Venture.
- Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs): Manufactured by Herrenknecht.
- Contract Awarded: April 2020.
- TBM Launch: August 2023.
- Expected Completion: Autumn 2025.
Cambridge South Station
Cambridge South Station is a planned new railway station aimed at improving connectivity to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and surrounding areas. The station will feature 1,000 bicycle parking spaces but no car park, aligning with sustainability.
- £200 million
- Main Contractor: To be determined (project in planning stages)
- Design and Consultancy: Network Rail, in partnership with local authorities
- Planning Approval: Granted in 2023
- Construction Start: Expected in 2024
- Completion: Targeted for 2026
DUBAI AND UAE
Dubai has ambitious plans to further develop its road, rail and aviation infrastructure. The following projects with further add to previous phases and projects. Exciting times lie ahead for the construction industry and professional construction jobseekers looking to work in Dubai and the UAE.
Dubai Metro Blue Line
The Dubai Metro Blue Line will extend 30 km with 14 new stations, linking key districts such as Ras Al Khor, Al Warqaa, Mirdif, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Dubai Academic City. It will provide critical connections with the existing Green and Red metro lines. Construction is set to begin in 2025 with completion scheduled for 2029, significantly expanding Dubai’s urban transit capacity to meet future population and economic growth.
- AED 20.5 billion (approx. $5.6 billion).
- Consortium: MAPA (Turkey), Limak (Turkey), CRRC (China).
- Awarded: December 2024.
- Construction Start: Early 2025.
- Completion: September 2029.
Etihad Rail – Dubai to Abu Dhabi High-Speed Rail
A high-speed rail line between Dubai and Abu Dhabi designed to cut travel time to 30 minutes, running at speeds of up to 350 km/h. This landmark national infrastructure project will promote regional integration, reduce road congestion, and provide a sustainable transport alternative. With construction anticipated to begin in late 2025, it will be a flagship component of the UAE’s national rail network and is expected to be completed by 2030.
- Approx. AED 40 billion (approx. $10.9 billion)
- Main Contractors: To be awarded (procurement ongoing).
- Developer: Etihad Rail, in partnership with international consultants.
- Announcement: 2025.
- Construction Start: Late 2025.
- Completion: 2030 (target).
Dubai Loop
The Dubai Loop envisions a 17-kilometer underground transit system with 11 stations, moving passengers in autonomous electric vehicles at up to 160 km/h. Expected to initially serve over 20,000 passengers per hour, with scalability up to 100,000 passengers/hour, this innovative project aims to redefine urban mobility in Dubai. Still in the conceptual and planning stage, it represents a futuristic response to urban congestion, with construction details to be finalized.
- Estimated AED 5 billion (approx. $1.36 billion).
- Main Contractor: The Boring Company (USA).
- Partner: Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
- MoU Signed: February 2025.
- Detailed Planning: Ongoing (2025).
- Construction Start: TBD.
Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Crossing
The Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Crossing, or Sixth Crossing, is a 1.6 km arch bridge over Dubai Creek, poised to be one of the world’s longest arch bridges. It will support 12 lanes of traffic and future metro tracks, enhancing connectivity between Al Jaddaf and Bur Dubai. Although partially completed, the project has been delayed, with its resumption expected as part of Dubai’s broader transport and urban development plans.
- AED 2.5 billion (approx. $680 million).
- Main Contractors: To be confirmed.
- Designer: FXFOWLE Architects.
- Project Status: 75% complete as of 2022; resumption pending.
- Final Works: TBD (dependent on restart).
Dubai World Central (Al Maktoum International Airport) Expansion
The Dubai World Central (DWC) expansion is set to become the largest airport in the world, with a capacity of over 260 million passengers annually upon full build-out. The expansion will include five parallel runways, massive passenger terminals, and cargo/logistics hubs, positioning Dubai as a leading global aviation hub. Though delayed by the pandemic, the project is expected to recommence by 2025 with a phased construction plan extending well into the 2030s, making it a long-term infrastructure centrepiece for Dubai.
- Phase 1: AED 120 billion (approx. $33 billion) total master plan budget.
- Master Developer: Dubai Airports.
- Consultants/Planners: Dar Al-Handasah, Foster + Partners, Jacobs, among others involved in initial master planning.
- Contractors: To be determined (major packages to be tendered in phases).
- Construction Start (First Phase): Expected to relaunch in late 2025.
- Terminal and airside packages: RFPs anticipated 2025–2026.
- Completion (Phase 1): Early 2030s.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
This is the biggest and most exciting live and upcoming construction projects in Canada, the UK and in Dubai because it's an exciting and busy time for construction consultancies and contractors working in these locations around the world.
In 2025 and 2026 and beyond, the major projects highlighted above are likely be subject to some changes in construction schedules, and of course will vary at different times with their need for additional staff to be recruited. This is why it is important for both employers and jobseekers in the construction industry to work with a recruitment partner like Maxim Recruitment. We know each of these construction skill markets, the key players and how to attract and recruit suitably experienced candidates for the best employers in each location.
Many employers will hope to identify local experience for many of their key technical and managerial appointments, however many of the above projects are international in scope and nature; often having more similarities with other major rail, bridge, tunnel or airport projects that have been elsewhere in the world. This creates opportunities for specialist construction professionals from around the world to be able to relocate to work in Canada, the UK or Dubai where they are able to offer specialist skills and experience not available locally in the area.
Maxim Recruitment is selective and we don’t work with all the companies highlighted as working on the projects listed above – but we believe that we work with the vast majority of the best ones (and are happy to engage with new employer clients!).
We give impartial advice to both premium employers looking to employ new local or international staff, and to the best job seekers from around the world who are looking to make a move to work for one or the best employers in the industry.
We look forward to working with you!
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Steve is responsible for Maxim Recruitment in the UK and Canada. He is based in the Maxim head office in Leicester, UK and the Toronto office in Canada. He regularly travels to meet employers and job seekers and attend construction industry networking events in the UK, Canada and worldwide. Steve has over 25 years of experience in construction and property recruitment and enjoys working with many repeat clients. He manages dedicated search and headhunting assignments for a range of premium UK, Canadian and international clients.