November 4, 2026
The Government of Canada is advancing construction of a new Transportation Safety and Technology Science (TSTS) facility in Ottawa, exercising a construction management services option valued at approximately $404.9 million with Bird Construction Group Ltd. The milestone moves the project toward full construction and supports Canada’s investment in modern scientific research infrastructure.
Announced on October 30, 2026, the project is being delivered by Public Services and Procurement Canada through Laboratories Canada, a federal initiative focused on modernizing government laboratories and strengthening scientific collaboration.
The new facility will be located at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC)’s MontrĂ©al Road campus in Ottawa.
The federal government has exercised the full construction management services option with Bird Construction Group Ltd., valued at approximately $404.9 million.
The decision follows earlier site preparation and enabling work and represents a significant milestone in delivering the Transportation Safety and Technology Science project.
Preparatory site work began in summer 2025, with main construction beginning in fall 2026. Substantial completion is expected in 2031.
The project forms part of Canada’s broader strategy to invest in specialized, sustainable infrastructure that supports scientific research, transportation safety and national security.
The Transportation Safety and Technology Science facility will bring together approximately 260 employees from the National Research Council of Canada and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.
Designed as a modern research and investigation hub, the building will include specialized laboratories, advanced scientific capabilities and collaborative workspaces.
The facility will support transportation research, testing and innovation across five major sectors:
By bringing research scientists and accident investigators together, the project aims to improve collaboration and strengthen Canada’s ability to investigate transportation incidents, develop safety technologies and enhance transportation safety standards.
The integrated environment will also support the development of improved investigation methods and research capabilities.
Beyond transportation safety, the Ottawa science facility will contribute to Canada’s broader scientific and national security objectives.
The project is expected to support Canada’s NATO defence investment commitments through eligible defence-related research and technical activities conducted by the NRC.
These capabilities include research and development support for the Canadian Armed Forces and Defence Research and Development Canada that will transition to laboratories within the new facility.
The investment is intended to strengthen Canada’s ability to respond to emerging transportation, scientific and defence-related challenges through modern research infrastructure.
The Transportation Safety and Technology Science project is also expected to generate economic opportunities for Canadian workers, contractors and suppliers.
The federal government is advancing its Buy Canadian objectives by emphasizing Canadian expertise and, where possible, domestically sourced construction materials.
Indigenous Participation Plans included in project contracts are intended to create additional opportunities for Indigenous businesses and communities.
These measures align the infrastructure investment with broader federal objectives for domestic economic development and inclusive participation in major construction projects.
The Ottawa facility is being developed through Laboratories Canada, a $3.8 billion federal initiative to modernize science infrastructure across government departments and agencies.
The program focuses on replacing and upgrading aging laboratory facilities, improving scientific collaboration and providing researchers with modern tools and workspaces.
The Transportation Safety and Technology Science project represents an important component of this strategy by integrating transportation research and accident investigation capabilities within a purpose-built facility.
Mitch Davies, President of the National Research Council of Canada, emphasized the importance of bringing structural research and accident investigation expertise together in a collaborative environment.
Yoan Marier, Chair of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, also highlighted how the new facility will strengthen transportation safety investigations through improved collaboration and access to specialized scientific capabilities.
The project’s construction timeline includes several major milestones:
Once completed, the Transportation Safety and Technology Science facility will provide modern infrastructure for approximately 260 federal researchers, scientists and investigators.
The project demonstrates how investment in specialized construction, advanced laboratory infrastructure and collaborative research environments can strengthen Canada’s transportation safety, scientific innovation and national security capabilities.
With Bird Construction Group advancing the next phase, the Ottawa facility represents a significant federal infrastructure project supporting Canadian construction expertise and long-term research capacity.
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