RFQ Issued for Austin’s $7.1B Light Rail Project

The preliminary $7.1-billion section of a lightweight rail transit line for the town of Austin, Texas, took a step towards actuality on June 5, with the beginning of a two-step progressive design-build procurement course of that goals to get development underway in 2027.

Austin Transit Partnership (ATP), a public company created by the Metropolis of Austin and the Capital Metro Transportation Authority to supervise this system’s financing, design, development and total implementation, issued a request for {qualifications} for remaining design and development providers to create a virtually 10-mile, 15-station double-tracked light-rail system by the town’s downtown. The route may also embody a brand new bridge throughout Girl Chicken Lake, and several other miles of recent pedestrian biking paths.

Responses to the RFQ are due by July 3, after which ATP says certified companies can be invited to take part in a complete Request for Proposals (RFP) course of evaluating staff expertise, method and value, which an ATP spokesperson mentioned was at the moment estimated at roughly $3 billion. The ultimate design and development contract is scheduled for award in early 2026.

In line with ATP, the chosen design-build staff “will assist form and construct almost each side of the system together with the transitway, tracks, methods, stations, bridges, site visitors alerts, utilities, drainage constructions and streetscape” by the deliberate 2033 begin of passenger service.

ATP has already tapped AECOM to function supply associate for the venture, offering a wide range of providers that embody program administration, administration, controls, design and development administration and post-construction administration throughout remaining design, development and launch of service.

ATP notes that the usage of progressive design construct supply will facilitate shut collaboration with trade companions by modern design options that steadiness technical necessities with Austin’s distinctive want, a design targeted on environment friendly development to attenuate disruptions to different journey modes and integration of the newest development prices into design growth to make sure the venture design aligns with the venture finances.

“Austin Mild Rail is a mega infrastructure venture that can supply certified companies throughout Texas and past a aggressive alternative to offer the supplies and providers wanted to ship the venture,” ATP CEO Greg Canally mentioned in a press release. “This remaining design and development contract adheres to ATP’s mannequin to associate with the non-public sector to draw prime expertise to ship a world-class mild rail system for Austin.”

Funding for the venture consists of an estimated $2 billion in proceeds from a 2020 referendum that directs a portion to native property taxes towards design and development prices. Final yr, ATP started the method of qualifying the venture for funding underneath the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Funding Grants New Begins program.

The scope of the present mild rail venture, detailed within the draft environmental influence assertion issued earlier this yr, is roughly half of its unique idea, due largely to post-pandemic value escalation. Components resembling a downtown tunnel and enhanced bus speedy service have been progressively eradicated from the plan, ensuing within the 9.8-mile all-surface light-rail route accepted in 2023 by the Austin Metropolis Council. ATP asserts that the present plan gives flexibility for future extensions, together with one to Austin-Bergstrom Worldwide Airport and one other to a transit hub on the town’s north facet.

Over the previous two years, ATP and the Metropolis have confronted a number of lawsuits backed by Texas Lawyer Common Ken Paxton searching for to dam design and development on the venture till voters are given a chance to weigh in on the downsized plan. A state appeals court docket dismissed these challenges final fall. A number of proposed measures to overturn ATP’s funding mechanism launched within the 2023 and 2025 periods of the state legislature have additionally been unsuccessful.