Rumour on Reddit is that they're taking more time finding a contractor, because those available and bidding atm feel they would be stretched too thin taking it all on themselves (local contractors/unions, presumably). I think we can extrapolate some logistics here.
My original belief was and still is that Eglinton and FInch wrapping up frees up enough labour capacity to move on the B-Line, and accelerate Hurontario (by virtue of more oversight...). What I've adjusted for since then, is that I would not be surprised if only the Hamilton-Niagara contractors/unions have bid thus far. These guys aren't newcomers and it is their catchment, but alongside the workforce question, it also might not mesh well with Metrolinx, who has done all other Rapid Transit projects with the Toronto Union/contractors.
So I think the GTA contractors will consider making bids, either themselves (selfishly, and probably not ideally), or in partnership/consortium bids with the local union/contractors. Metrolinx will have a vested interest in seeing them carry forward accrued expertise (that's what's needed when you don't do anything internally!), If not totally blackballed, part of the Crosslinx team may do track works, while the locals do utilities and stations.
I am somewhat lukewarm on this. In theory Hamilton-Niagara should have enough workers, but they get pulled into Industrial projects and so forth in a way Toronto contractors probably do not (more infrastructure, high-rise construction, etc.).
Given what this project is, and the fact that it is the first of its kind outside the GTA for Metrolinx, whether they worth keeping as an agency for the Golden Horseshoe will come down to how they execute this, and whether they have learned anything.
