Kiewit-Austin Commercial JV Tapped for Austin Light Rail O&M Facility
A $7B planned light rail system in Austin is slated to open in 2033.
Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) has selected a joint venture of Kiewit Building Group Inc. and Austin Commercial, as design-build contractor for an operations and maintenance facility that will support the city’s new light rail system.
To be located on a 62-acre site near Austin Bergstrom Airport, the facility will store, service and dispatch the fleet of light rail vehicles for the 10-mile, 15-station system, which is being built by a team led by Stacy Witbeck and Sundt Construction. The overall cost of the project, scheduled to begin operation in 2033, is currently estimated at $7 billion.
As with construction of the overall light rail system, the operations and maintenance facility is being delivered using a two-phase progressive design-build approach. According to ATP, the Kiewit-Austin team will begin pre-construction activities, including advancing design, conducting field investigations, coordinating utilities and preparing permitting packages.
ATP says team includes approximately 10 design-phase subcontractors, who will work to optimize constructability, schedule and cost to ensure readiness for future construction. According to local media reports, the site is zoned for commercial for industrial uses, with a residential neighborhood approximately 180 feet from a residential neighborhood. Special dampening tracks are planned to reduce vibrations to a nearby apartment complex and hotel. Several businesses will also be relocated from the site.
“The Operations and Maintenance Facility is being designed with a strong focus on integration with its surrounding environment,” ATP’s statement says. “The facility will be thoughtfully planned to be a good neighbor, incorporating design elements that prioritize safety, functionality and a high-quality work environment for employees.”
