ATP Releases Contract Opportunity for Austin Light Rail Multibillion-Dollar Contract
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Courtesy of ATP
AUSTIN - The Austin Transit Partnership has released official solicitation for a multibillion final design and construction contract. This contract is expected to be awarded in early 2026 to allow for preparation of Austin Light Rail Phase 1 occurring in 2027.
According to Austin Transit Partnership, or ATP, the city’s first light rail system will include all-electric trains running every 5 to 10 minutes and connect residents to job centers and hubs. The project includes 15 stations located along 10 miles at a cost of $7.1 billion. Along with stations, the project includes “miles of new pedestrian and cycling paths, and a new bridge across Lady Bird Lake.”
Selected partners for the contract will work to “shape and build nearly every aspect of the system.” ATP states the agreement is expected to extend through design, construction, and service opening, which is expected in 2033. The work included in the agreement is as follows: work on the “transit way, tracks, systems, stations, bridges, traffic signals, utilities, drainage structures and streetscape.”
ATP’s design-build delivery model allows it to work with its partners by focusing on a design that allows for efficient construction to keep Austin functioning for the duration of the project, integrating the latest costs of construction into the development of the design to ensure ATP stays on budget, and coming up with design solutions that keep in mind the needs of the city with technical requirements of the project.
CEO Greg Canally said, “Austin Light Rail is a mega infrastructure project that will offer qualified businesses across Texas and beyond a competitive opportunity to provide the materials and services needed to deliver the project. . . This final design and construction contract adheres to ATP’s model to partner with the private sector to attract top talent to deliver a world-class light rail system for Austin.”
ATP says it has worked over the last year “to finalize the solicitation that was informed by industry feedback.” ATP will use a two-step procurement process. This began on June 5, 2025 with a Request for Qualifications, or RFQ. Responses are due by July 3rd of this year. Then, those qualified will be invited to participate in a Request for Proposals, or RFP, process. This will allow ATP to evaluate the teams, cost, and approach.
