Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and the state Department of Transportation were poised Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014, to approve a $566.6 million contract for CNR Changchun to supply 284 rapid transit cars for Boston's "T" system.
MassDOT's Board of Directors officially approved the deal Wednesday afternoon.
The new cars would replace Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Orange Line cars, averaging 32 years in age, and Red Line consists, operating for 44 years.
MassDOT said it received six proposals for the contract, four of which met the minimum requirements for the bid. CNR submitted the lowest bid, MassDOT said.
CNR Changchun, more formally known as Changchun Railway Vehicles, would be the first Chinese railcar manufacturer to land a major U.S. transit contract, according to several industry observers. The company would produce the new fleet at a new facility in Springfield, Mass., that would double as its U.S. headquarters for seeking additional U.S. business.
Construction of the new plant is expected to begin next year, with the first MBTA cars expected to be delivered in 2018. Orange Line production vehicles are set to be delivered at a rate of approximately four cars per month between late 2018 and the end of 2021, while Red Line cars will arrive between autumn 2019 and spring 2021.