The Quebec government on Tuesday awarded an contract to replace 500 Montreal subway cars to a Bombardier-Alstom consortium despite Spanish competitor CAF's threat of a lawsuit. Quebec Premier Jean Charest announced the deal, saying a special bill that would suppress competition in the tendering process will be presented in the province's national assembly. Officials did not reveal the value of the contract, but local media estimated it would top 1.3 billion dollars (925 million euros) or 2.6 million dollars per subway car. CAF last week protested the government's decision not to allow an open competition, after Quebec halted the normal bidding process. The work was originally awarded to Canada's Bombardier, but France's Alstom went to court in 2006 to force an invitation to tender. Bombardier and Alstom later agreed to a joint bid for the project. 