Major transit agencies announce construction contract awards

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, Metrolinx, Metra and Sound Transit this week announced contract awards for various construction projects.

In Atlanta, MARTA selected HDR to complete final design of the $230 million Streetcar East extension project, according to a MARTA press release. The 2-mile extension includes five stops along Edgewood Avenue, Randolph Street, Auburn Avenue and Irwin Street to the Atlanta Beltline and Ponce City Market. Construction is expected to begin in 2025 with service scheduled to open in 2028. The project is funded through the More MARTA Atlanta half-penny sales tax.

In Toronto, Metrolinx awarded a contract to Bowmanville Construction Partners — a general partnership between Ledcor CMI Ltd. and Dragados Canada Inc. — for construction management of the CA$730 million Bowmanville Extension project. The extension will lengthen the Lakeshore East GO Transit Line by nearly 12 miles to Bowmanville, with about 17,000 daily trips expected by 2041. The work calls for new track and signal infrastructure, seven new bridges, bridge reconstruction and modifications, utility relocations and grade crossing updates, Metrolinx officials said in a press release.

In Chicago, commuter railroad Metra broke ground on a $33.9 million project to rebuild the 79th Street/Chatham, 87th Street/Woodruff and 103rd Street/Rosemoor stations on the Metra Electric Line, officials said in a press release. The work beginning July 10 includes accessibility improvements, including all-new enclosed street-level entrances and lobbies with elevators, stairs and headhouses, composite deck platforms and lighting and signage. The contract was awarded to IHC Construction of Elgin, Illinois. A facet of the Metra Electric Community Initiative, the project is funded by Metra and the state's Rebuild Illinois capital program.

And in Seattle, Sound Transit awarded a design-build contract to Absher Construction of Puyallup, Washington, for a new Auburn Station parking garage and other access improvements. The $60 million project will serve Sounder S Line and Sound Transit Express transit-rail riders. Improvements also could include curb extensions, upgraded crosswalks and accessible curb ramps, according to a Sound Transit press release. Major construction will begin in early 2024, with completion expected in 2027.