Dallas-based global professional services firm AECOM has been selected by Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) as the delivery partner  for the “transformative” Phase 1 of Austin’s first light rail transit system.

AECOM said its responsibilities will include program management oversight and initiation, environmental services, design management, rail activation, and operational readiness. Phase 1 will introduce a roughly 10-mile light rail system to Austin with 15 stations to enhance regional connectivity and mobility for communities in the region.

“We’re the global leader in transportation, and we’re proud of our partnership with ATP for Austin’s first light rail transit system,” AECOM President Lara Poloni said in a statement. “Cities across the U.S. continue to make unprecedented investments in rail infrastructure, and Austin is no exception. This critical project will transform how Austinites navigate their city, with the promise of stimulating economic growth, protecting the existing environment and promoting a sustainable future for generations to come.”

The Austin Transit Partnership estimates the capital cost of the Phase 1 project at $7.1 billion. ATP said it’s planning to seek payment for 50% of those costs via federal funding from the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investments Grant program.

Improving mobility in a growing urban area

Rendering of the Austin Light Rail system. [Image: Austin Transit Partnership]

AECOM said that as delivery partner, it will also lead a technical team of subconsultants, including Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms. By collaborating with DBE firms, AECOM said it seeks to provide opportunities for socially and economically disadvantaged individuals to engage in and benefit from the project’s development.

“As Austin continues to grow into one of the most vibrant and dynamic metro areas in the U.S., Austin Light Rail holds immense promise for the city and its residents in transforming local transit connectivity,” Drew Jeter, chief executive of AECOM’s Program Management global business line, said in a statement. “Our outcome-driven program management approach will leverage our expertise in global large-scale transit programs to meet the growing demand for reliable and accessible transportation benefiting the City of Austin and connecting communities.”

The company said that the Austin Light Rail is a key part of the city’s larger Austin Strategic Mobility Plan, which seeks to enhance the accessibility, reliability, and connectivity of Austin’s transportation network. The new rail system will link major destinations across the city, such as Lady Bird Lake, downtown Austin, and the University of Texas at Austin. Future expansions are planned to extend north to major hubs and south to Austin’s airport, AECOM said.

“We’re thrilled to partner with AECOM on this landmark project that will significantly enhance Austin’s transportation infrastructure and support the city’s growing population,” Greg Canally, executive director of Austin Transit Partnership, said in a statement. “After a thorough vetting and evaluation process, AECOM’s selection reflects our organization’s shared values and collaborative spirit.”

More on AECOM

AECOM partners with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable, and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle—from advisory, planning, design, and engineering to program and construction management, the company said. The infrastructure giant relocated its HQ from Los Angeles to Dallas in 2021.

A Fortune 500 company, AECOM had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024.

David Seeley contributed to this report.

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