AUSTIN Transit Partnership (ATP), a city government company overseeing the planning, design, construction and implementation of the Texas state capital’s inaugural light rail project, has selected a contractor to build the 15.8km line.

Austin Rail Contractors (ARC), a joint venture of Stacy Witbeck and Sundt Construction, will be responsible for all civil engineering and rail infrastructure work, including bridges and track as well as systems, stops, utility diversion, and streetscape improvements.

The appointment of ARC was approved by the ATP board at its meeting on February 18. ARC was the highest-ranking bidder for the contract. Mott MacDonald also confirmed in a statement on February 19 that it is working in a joint venture with Stantec as lead designer of the light rail line, supporting ARC.

ATP says that under the design-build model it has chosen for the estimated $US 7.1bn project, the final construction partner is selected earlier in the process. The objective is to improve cooperation in order to prevent costly changes to project scope and to prevent delays.

The selection of ARC comes just a year after a request for information (RFI) was issued for the project and will enable ATP to begin pre-construction activities and advance final design. It says that it will share current designs and community feedback with ARC over the next year ahead of construction starting in 2027. The aim is to complete the project by 2033.

“We have a flexible and collaborative approach to this complex project in the heart of Austin, while creating significant opportunities for local employment and business growth,” says ARC project manager, Armando Tiscareño.

Aecom was appointed by ATP as delivery partner for the project in December 2024. The line will have 15 stops, linking major destinations across the city, such as Lady Bird Lake, downtown Austin, and the University of Texas at Austin, with services operating at 5-10-minute intervals. Future phases are planned to extend the line north to key urban areas and south to Austin’s airport.

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