What safeguards are in place to stop ONxpress on capitalizing financially while inducing unbeknown risk to public safety? I generally trust that this won't happen, and reputationally there is a lot on the line, but where is the line between risk and reward?
I’m confident that the contract will have lots of legalese to address this. And they are subject to both federal and provincial regulation and inspection. As for construction, anything they do will have the usual due diligence, stamped drawings, etc..
There is always the temptation for a for-profit business to cut corners, but I would be more concerned about life cycle maintenance than the original construction effort. The proponent will not only build but then have to operate for a lengthy period. They have a self interest in making sure that anything they design and construct is operable and maintenance free. The question will be, how well is it maintained and what shape is the plant in after the contract ends and the infrastructure is handed back to the province for the next contract term. By then, the fleet will likely need replacement anyways - but bridges and structures and track need to be kept in good repair for the decades to come.
Also, note that DB is only one member of the consortium. The engineering and construction partners are local.
- Paul