Austin light rail contractor selection: ARC picked for $US 7.1bn line

AUSTIN light rail contractor selection is now in place, with AUSTIN Transit Partnership (ATP) choosing a contractor to build the 15.8km line for the city’s inaugural light rail project, as reported by Rail Journal.

Austin light rail contractor selection and project delivery approach

Also, Austin Rail Contractors (ARC) — a joint venture of Stacy Witbeck and Sundt Construction — will deliver the civil engineering and rail infrastructure work for the light rail line. That package includes bridges and track, along with systems, stops, utility diversion and streetscape improvements.

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

In addition, ATP said it has chosen a design-build model for the estimated $US 7.1bn project, selecting the final construction partner earlier in the process. The stated objective is to improve cooperation to prevent costly changes to project scope and to prevent delays.

Timeline and next steps for the Austin Transit Partnership light rail project

ATP said ARC’s selection comes just a year after a request for information (RFI) was issued, enabling pre-construction activities and progress on final design. Still, over the next year, ATP said it will share current designs and community feedback with ARC ahead of construction starting in 2027, with the aim of completing the project by 2033.

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“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.

Stops, service frequency and planned extensions

Also, 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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