Denver RTD, HART award contracts for rail projects

The Regional Transportation District of Denver's (RTD) board last week approved the award of a $343 million contract to Graham, Balfour Beatty, Hamon Constructors (GBBH) to design and build the North Metro Rail Line to 124th Avenue.

GBBH has proposed building out the the North Metro Line completely to 162nd Avenue, but RTD staff recommended the first phase of the project be built to 124th Avenue with the funding that is currently available, RTD officials said in a press release posted on the FasTracks website.

"We had four sound proposals, but after thorough evaluation, the GBBH proposal provides the best value and allows us to make great strides toward completing another FasTracks project," said RTD General Manager Phil Washington.

Meanwhile, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) has awarded a $46 million contract to CH2M Hill Inc. for general engineering consulting support services for the next phase of its light-rail project.

The five-year contract will cover oversight support for design, review, scheduling, cost estimating, environmental, and planning and interface management functions as the project moves forward, HART officials said in a press release. The new general engineering consultant contract replaces a general engineering contract with Parsons Brinckerhoff that ends early next year.

"This new contract reflects where we are on the project, and takes into account HART's more active role in implementing and managing all design and construction contracts," said HART Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Daniel Grabauskas.