Austin, Texas, now has a team to build its first light rail system.
At the end of last year, the Austin Transit Partnership selected LINC Austin — composed of AECOM, Parsons, STV, Turner & Townsend, Ardmore Roderick and CAS Consulting — as the delivery partner for Phase 1 of the project, according to an AECOM news release.
The $7 billion first phase covers about 10 miles and will include 15 stations as well as new walk and bike paths, according to Austin Transit Partnership. Future expansions are planned to extend north to major hubs and south to Austin’s airport.
Under the initial four-year contract, LINC Austin will provide program and project management, construction management and technical expert services during the planning, design, procurement, construction and post-construction phases.
The new all-electric system is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing transit services and will bolster connectivity and mobility in the region. It will link major destinations across the city, such as Lady Bird Lake, downtown Austin and the University of Texas at Austin.
“As Austin continues to grow into one of the most vibrant and dynamic metro areas in the U.S., Austin Light Rail holds immense promise for the City and its residents in transforming local transit connectivity,” said Drew Jeter, chief executive of AECOM’s Program Management global business line, in the release.
The light rail is a key part of the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan, which aims to enhance the accessibility, reliability and connectivity of the city’s transportation network. Construction is slated to kick off in 2027 and to wrap up by 2033, per Austin Transit Partnership.
