Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) has selected a joint venture from Kiewit Building Group Inc. and Austin Commercial, as the design and construction contractor for an operations and maintenance facility that will support the city’s new light rail system.
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, which is expected to start operating in 2033, is currently estimated at $7 billion.
As with the construction of the overall light rail system, the operations and maintenance facilities are being delivered through a two-phase, progressive design and construction approach. According to the ATP, the Kiewit-Austin team will begin pre-construction activities, including advancing the design, conducting field investigations, coordinating utilities and preparing permitting packages.
ATP says the team includes approximately 10 design-phase subcontractors, who will work to optimize construction, schedule and cost to ensure readiness for future construction. According to local media reports, the site is zoned for commercial to industrial uses, with a residential neighborhood about 180 feet from a residential neighborhood. Special damping tracks are planned to reduce vibrations at a nearby apartment complex and hotel. Several businesses will also relocate from the site.
“The operations and maintenance facility is being designed with a strong focus on integration with its environment,” the ATP statement said. “The facility will be carefully planned to be a good neighbor, incorporating design elements that prioritize safety, functionality and a high-quality work environment for employees.”
