Denver RTD recommends GBBH's proposal for North Metro rail project

The Regional Transportation District of Denver (RTD) staff recommended that the agency's board move forward with a proposal from Graham, Balfour Beatty, Hamon Constructors (GBBH) to design and build the North Metro Rail Line from Denver Union Station to 124th Avenue.

The proposal commits to completing the line to 124th Avenue by January 2018. Although GBBH proposed building out the complete North Metro Line to 162nd Avenue, staff recommended that the project's first phase be built to 124th with funding that is currently available, RTD officials announced yesterday in a press release.

GBBH's cost proposal to build the line to 124th is $343 million, which RTD would finance by issuing certificates of participation.

Building to 124th Avenue will serve the majority of projected ridership for the corridor, RTD estimates. As additional funds become available, the agency can exercise an option and issue a notice to proceed to complete the line to 162nd.

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

In February, GBBH sent an unsolicited, initial proposal to RTD. After reviewing it, RTD staff determined the proposal was consistent with the agency's policy for unsolicited proposals and worthy of advancing it to a competitive procurement process.

On Sept. 23, the agency received four competitive proposals for the North Metro Rail project. In addition to GBBH, proposals were submitted by Bechtel/Herzog joint venture; North Metro Transit Solutions, a Kiewit/Stacy and Witbeck joint venture; and URS Energy and Construction Inc.

The GBBH team includes Stantec Consulting Services, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Zann and Associates, Communications Connections Consulting, Transit Safety & Security Solutions, and Systems Consulting L.L.C.