New Jersey Transit has selected the construction management team for the $7.2-billion commuter rail tunnel between New York and New Jersey, just four months after the award of the preliminary engineering contract. The Trans-Hudson Express (THE) Tunnel will stretch 4.5 miles under the Hudson River when it is completed 2016.

The CM Consortium, composed of New York City-based Tishman Construction, Washington, D.C.-based Parsons Transportation Group and the New York City office of Arup, was awarded $5 million for the initial engineering phase and will continue on subsequent construction phases "subject to performance and available funding," according to Jay Badame, chief operating officer of Tishman, which is the lead entity on the project. The notice to proceed with construction management and project controls is expected in January, with construction slated to start in 2009.

According to George Warrington, NJ Transit's executive director, bringing on the team this early will reduce the risk of delays and budget overlays. The consortium will provide design oversight and make cost estimates independent of the engineering team, which is composed of a joint venture of Parsons Brinckerhpff, STV Inc. and DMJM Harris/AECOM. The consortium will develop a master schedule for all phases through construction as well as a quality control plan, and oversee outreach initiatives in the local communities for minority training programs in construction trades while meeting NJ Transit's requirement of 25% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise participation.