MARTA board OKs streetcar contract increase to $59 million

Yesterday, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) revised a contract with URS Energy and Construction Inc. to design and build the Atlanta Streetcar project for $59 million, up from the originally authorized $52.2 million based on the preliminary design.

The revised contract amount will cover improvements to the project's design and scope, and will provide an additional 7 percent contingency that could be used to cover unforeseen site conditions along the route during construction, MARTA officials said in a press release. The revised amount will be paid from existing contingency funds.

The improvements — which include streetscapes, bicycle lanes and related amenities — will make the streetcar more accessible to riders when it is completed next year, MARTA officials said.

The decision to increase the contract amount followed recent negotiations by MARTA, city and Atlanta Downtown Improvement District officials.

The streetcar is a key component of an integrated transit network that will provide direct access to MARTA's Peachtree Center station and eventually will connect to the Atlanta Beltline.