Austin Transit Partnership Selects Contractor for Light Rail Project

Austin Transit Partnership has selected Austin Rail Constructors as the construction contractor for the city’s first light rail system, a decision that allows preparatory work and final design to move forward ahead of a planned start of construction in 2027.

The appointment was approved by the partnership’s board during a meeting on 18 February. The decision initiates the first phase of a contract expected to reach several billion dollars over the lifetime of the project.

Austin Rail Constructors is a joint venture between construction firms Stacy Witbeck and Sundt Construction. The team will contribute to the design and delivery of key elements of the system, including the transitway, track, stations, bridges, signalling, drainage and associated streetscape works.

The contractor team holds experience in infrastructure projects in Texas and other US states. Previous work cited by officials includes developments linked to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and rail projects in Arizona, Hawaii and Utah. Subcontractors are expected to include several Texas-based businesses.

ATP CEO Greg Canally said:

This is a big, important milestone for Austin Light Rail. ATP is highly focused on delivering this much-needed mobility investment for Austin, and with this contract now in place, we are on track to begin construction in 2027. Not only is Austin getting this major transit project, but we are also creating thousands of jobs and economic opportunity here in Texas.

Austin Rail Constructors was identified as the preferred bidder following a competitive procurement process that assessed experience, staffing, technical methods and design proposals. Officials said the procurement was completed in about a year, following industry engagement and networking events designed to connect major contractors with local suppliers and small businesses.

As design advances, the contractor will tender portions of the work to subcontractors, material suppliers and specialist firms across Texas.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said:

Austin is building the transportation system our growing city demands. Selecting a construction partner is a major step forward in delivering the voter-mandated transit system and will provide infrastructure careers for thousands in our region. This milestone reflects real progress toward improving mobility, supporting long-term affordability and strengthening our economy.

The light rail programme will follow a design-build delivery model, bringing the construction partner into the design phase to improve coordination and reduce the risk of cost increases or schedule delays. Over the coming year, Austin Transit Partnership will work with the contractor to refine design proposals using community feedback.

Plans for the initial network include 15 stations along an alignment of nearly 10 miles. The system will operate all-electric trains at intervals of five to ten minutes for most of the day and has been designed to allow future extensions.