Austin selects delivery partner to lead light rail construction
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Infrastructure firm AECOM will work with the Austin Transit Partnership to construct and deliver the first phase of light rail in Austin, the firm announced in late December.
ATP selected AECOM to serve as its construction delivery partner. The firm will help oversee and initiate the first phase of light rail, working on environmental services, design management, rail activation and operational readiness, per AECOM's announcement. The first phase of light rail is a 9.8-mile track running from 38th Street down to Oltorf Street and Yellow Jacket Lane, with 15 stations expected along the route.
“We are the global leader in transportation, and we are proud of our partnership with ATP for Austin’s first light rail transit system,” AECOM President Lara Poloni said in the announcement. “Cities across the U.S. continue to make unprecedented investments in rail infrastructure, and Austin is no exception. This critical project will transform how Austinites navigate their city, with the promise of stimulating economic growth, protecting the existing environment and promoting a sustainable future for generations to come.”
The upcoming light rail system is a central component of the city's Project Connect system, a mass transit overhaul expanding on existing bus and rail operations while adding light rail to the Texas capital. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the first phase of light rail anticipated to be operational come 2033. As of March 2024, officials said the project is expected to cost about $4.8 billion in current years' dollars.
Key connection points along the light rail corridor include The University of Texas at Austin, Lady Bird Lake, downtown Austin and the Riverside Drive corridor. Priority extensions earmarked by ATP officials included the Crestview neighborhood — a major transit hub in north central Austin — as well as linking the light rail with the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
“We are thrilled to partner with AECOM on this landmark project that will significantly enhance Austin’s transportation infrastructure and support the city’s growing population,” Greg Canally, ATP's executive director, added in the announcement. “After a thorough vetting and evaluation process, AECOM’s selection reflects our organization’s shared values and collaborative spirit.”
ATP is expected to release its draft environmental impact statement (EIS) this month ahead of planned community engagement events kicking off in mid-January. The draft EIS is a document required by the National Environmental Policy Act for some major infrastructure projects, particularly those utilizing federal dollars.
The NEPA process will evaluate all the potential impacts due to both the construction and operations of the light rail, as well as ways to try and mitigate said impacts. Analysis areas include effects on biological and natural resources, neighborhoods, and socio-economic impacts as well as both cultural and historical ones.