Transit & Rail Services | HNTB

Transit & Rail

Making Connections Possible

Through the delivery of innovative public transit and rail solutions, HNTB is partnering with transit authorities to better connect people and places in communities across the country.

Our approach is built on a foundation of collaboration, and combined with top industry expertise and unsurpassed technical excellence, HNTB is working alongside our clients and stakeholders to deliver rail and transit solutions that are shaping the future and making connections possible.

HNTB’s capabilities cover a broad range of services and expertise across all modes, which help our clients meet their goals while enhancing connections in local communities.

Planning/design

• Climate resilience

• Conceptual planning

• Corridor planning

• Cost estimating

• Funding/finance

• NEPA/environmental documentation

• Preliminary engineering

• Preliminary/final design

• Public involvement and outreach

• Service/operations planning

• Sustainability and fleet decarbonization

• System planning

• Travel demand forecasting

Federal Transit Administration support

• Federal readiness assessment

• FTA STOPS modeling

• Grant support

Project delivery

• Construction management

• Procurement

• Program management and oversight

• Quality management

• Risk management

• Testing/startup

• Transit architecture

• Value engineering

Bringing People Together, Expanding Opportunity

In collaboration with our clients, we are leveraging the power of public transportation to connect people to the things that matter the most in places we call home.

BART Warm Springs Extension

Services: Lead designer

HNTB was the lead designer for a 5.4-mile design-build project including a 0.75-mile long tunnel under Lake Elizabeth that extends the Bay Area Rapid Transit’s rail line from Fremont Station to a new Warm Springs Station. The project’s Walnut Avenue Bridge is a first for the United States. It straddles the Hayward Fault and is designed to survive severe fault displacement from a magnitude 7.25 earthquake, allowing trains to resume operation within a reasonable time.

Computer modeling software was used to analyze the effects different seismic events would have on a bridge in the fault zone. After collaborating with BART, the contractor, and the University of California, Berkeley, HNTB

produced a cutting-edge design: a post-tension, concrete through-girder railroad bridge supported on short seat-type spread footing abutments on top of mechanically stabilized earth walls. The MSE wall supporting southern abutment rests on a load transfer slab, protecting the MSE walls and abutment from extreme differential ground movements.

WMATA Program and Construction Management Services

Services: Program management, construction management, design, engineering support services, project controls, scheduling and estimating, managements of various WMATA Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts

HNTB supports the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority with program and project management, construction management, engineering support services, project controls, scheduling and estimating, as well as management of various WMATA Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contracts.

These IDIQ contracts present a mechanism for WMATA to achieve its short and long-term capital and operating objectives, which include reinstituting automatic train control, maximizing information technology for WMATA and its customers, and restoring Metrorail and Metrobus to the world class system the region requires. HNTB is helping WMATA achieve these goals by supporting WMATA’s annual program, facilitating a program conscious of resource limitations, and clearing a backlog of capital and operating needs. With WMATA’s capital improvement program growth and a goal of reducing operating costs, HNTB is supporting the development of frameworks for management, tracking and reporting on the performance of contract vehicles.

Brightline

Services: Program management, construction management

HNTB helped Brightline deliver America’s first major private intercity passenger railroad system in more than a century, providing rail service connections between Miami and West Palm Beach, beginning in 2018.

Since then, HNTB has continued to work alongside Brightline with the long-term goal of fully connecting passenger rail service between Miami and Orlando. The firm has served Brightline as their program and construction manager for the design of rail infrastructure for the 238-mile rail network.

As engineer-of-record for Brightline’s phase 2 construction between Orlando International Airport and Cocoa, Florida, HNTB has provided 38 route miles of track design at a maximum speed of 125 MPH, roadway and maintenance of traffic design, 32 new bridges, grading, drainage, communications, signal layout and utility relocation.

Additionally, HNTB is partnering with Brightline to provide program management services for a future 83-mile extension from Orlando International Airport to Tampa.

East Link Extension

Services: Design, project management, design-build support, value engineering, optimization studies, utility relocation, financial tracking, risk analysis, stakeholder coordination, contract procurement, developer coordination, public involvement, engineering systems integration, maintenance of traffic, project controls

When complete, passengers will be able to ride nearly 40 miles of fast, safe, reliable light rail service. This extension will better connect key points of the Seattle community, including from Eastside to downtown Seattle and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

The HNTB-led joint venture provided final design services for the Bellevue to Redmond portion and is currently providing construction design services and developing additional design packages for the entire project. Project scope includes approximately 7 miles of double-track light-rail guideway, eight stations, the SEM tunnel in downtown Bellevue, and long-span bridge crossings over Interstates 405 and 90.

IndyGo Red Line Bus Rapid Transit

Services: Construction management, inspection services, risk management, capital cost estimating, scheduling, design & constructability review, Federal Transit Administration reporting, public outreach, bidding support,

Indiana’s first bus rapid transit line improved travel on one of the city’s busiest urban corridors by providing an alternate mode of travel to popular cultural districts, the Indianapolis University Health Center, the state capitol building and the University of Indianapolis.

HNTB provided construction management and inspection services for the 13-mile route which involved bid review, contract documentation, construction inspection, schedule and cost analysis, public outreach, maintenance of traffic and extensive utility relocation management.

Because this involved construction along a densely populated corridor, the project team led an extensive public involvement effort to educate citizens about temporary construction impacts and IndyGo’s efforts to mitigate them.

Features at Red Line Stations:

• New in-median locations

• Ticket-vending machines that speed the boarding process

• Digital marquees displaying real-time arrival information

• Step-free station access in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act

• Flush, step-free, bus-height boarding platforms

• Well-lit boarding areas, security cameras and blue-light emergency phones

• Wind screens and drip-free roof eaves for better weather protection

MAX Bus Rapid Transit Network

Services: Planning, project development, NEPA documentation, cost estimating, value engineering, final design, operations planning, fare payment strategies, public involvement, development of Federal Transit Administration Small Starts application

Since 2005, HNTB has partnered with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority to help build out its BRT network through the opening of three lines along key corridors of the city that has helped bring needed mobility options to underserved communities in Kansas City. Development and construction of the Main Street, Troost and Prospect MAX lines encompassed numerous elements of planning and design including, route development, traffic analyses, capital and operating cost estimating, operating plan development,

preliminary design, environmental, final engineering and federal readiness assessment .

HNTB also helped deliver a new East Village Transit Center, the KCATA’s main transit facility in the downtown area. The center has improved the rider experience, with level boarding for increased accessibility, bike racks, free public WiFi, an indoor waiting area with a customer service lobby and security and administrative offices.

Metro K Line

Services: Lead designer, principal engineer

The K Line rail line opens a safe, convenient transit alternative for historically underserved area residents in South Los Angeles. Developed by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), the K Line links residents and businesses along the grand boulevard corridor to the region’s transit lines.

As part of the Walsh-Shea Corridor Connectors design-build team, HNTB served as lead designer and principal engineer for the K Line, which links to two other Metro lines — the E Line (Expo) and the C Line (Green), providing connections to downtown and the entire Metro network.

Envisioned to usher in a new era of equitable transportation investment and access, the project scope included track and civil, structural, architectural, MEP and rail systems. Additionally, designs for the eight new K Line transit stations project include one elevated station, four stations at-grade and three underground stations that will serve LA’s diverse neighborhoods providing connections to communities.

LYNX Blue Line Extension

Services: Construction management

To support the future transportation needs of residents and economic development in the neighborhoods along the service line, City of Charlotte decided to extend its successful LYNX Blue Line light rail service.

With HNTB providing construction management services for the biggest transit project in the history of Charlotte Area Transit Systems (CATS), the project adds approximately 9 miles of double-track-light-rail road bed, 11 transit stations — including seven walk-up stations and four stations with park-and-ride facilities — three parking garages, new traction power substations, state-of-the-art communications systems and new central control.

Connecting more than 20 miles of the city, the project provides a direct connection from Uptown Charlotte to the UNC-Charlotte campus in 25 minutes and is expected to nearly double 2035 ridership projections. With more than 5,000 new apartments and major commercial developments planned, the LYNX Blue Line Extension is already contributing to economic development along the corridor.

The Hop Milwaukee Streetcar

Services: Preliminary and final engineering, environmental assessment

The Hop is Milwaukee’s first embedded-track streetcar that is helping better connect residents to jobs, educational institutions and local attractions.

HNTB led the preliminary engineering, environmental documentation and final design for the 2.1-mile route, which includes 18 stations. Additional support for the project included assisting the City of Milwaukee with Federal Transit Administration coordination, extensive public involvement and ridership projections.

The Hop is the first system in the U.S. to use wireless switch technology via GPS and also utilizes GPA and wireless communication with active signals to enhance safety and efficiency. The off-wire technology makes the Milwaukee Streetcar one of the only rail systems to operate on lithium-ion batteries, promoting greater environmental sustainability and aesthetic beauty in the downtown area.

California High-Speed Rail, Construction Package 4

Services: Project management, construction management

As prime consultant on California High-Speed Rail Construction Package 4, HNTB has provided design-build oversight, including project management, engineering oversight, construction oversight, quality oversight, utilities relocation and environmental compliance services for a 22-mile corridor in Tulare and Kern County, California.

Partnering with the California High-Speed Rail Authority, HNTB has served as an extension of staff to successfully deliver the first true high-speed rail in North America.

HNTB’s role has included overseeing the work of the contractor, including at-grade alignments, retained fill overcrossings and viaducts, aerial viaduct and the relocation of 4 miles of existing railroad tracks. A focus on risk analysis throughout has enabled the project to avoid impacts related to budget or schedule.

HNTB also delivered the preliminary design and environmental documentation needed for the 51-mile San Francisco to San Jose and 84-mile San Jose to Merced HSR sections to advance the design stage. HNTB scope included conceptual and preliminary engineering studies of alignment alternatives; preliminary design of trackway and associated structures; draft environmental documents, including supporting technical studies and reports; public outreach and station area planning.

SunRail

Services: Phase 1: Design services, Phase 2: Construction engineering, inspection

Spanning 49 miles, this commuter rail service connects people to the communities and attractions of Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties in central Florida. HNTB partnered with the Florida Department of Transportation on the two phases of the project.

For Phase 1, the firm provided design services along a 31-mile joint-use corridor connecting Volusia and Orange County, and included 12 new stations.

For Phase 2, HNTB managed construction engineering and inspections along a live track. Because this corridor carries passenger trains by day and freight trains by night, the project required careful coordination with FDOT’s Central Florida Rail Corridor, the operator, CSX and Amtrak.

Pulse Rapid Transit Service

Services: Program management and oversight (PMO), project definition, NEPA documentation and design oversight services

supported the client with a variety of services including project definition, conceptual design, NEPA documentation and the firm also assisted with oversight during design and construction.

With three additional Pulse corridors in development, HNTB is providing program management, planning, conceptual design and NEPA services. Upon completion, the program will significantly improve and relieve congestion along highly traveled roadways. For the past decade, HNTB has provided program management and oversight services for Pace’s bus rapid transit system that is expanding efficient and reliable service to commuters across suburban Chicago.

The Milwaukee Line was the first corridor to launch in 2019 with four additional corridors in development. Working alongside Pace from program conception to ribbon cutting, HNTB has

METRO Orange Line

Services: Road design, dedicated guideway design, structures/tunnel design, facilities design, MEP, utility design, staging and MOT Design

As prime consultant to METRO Transit, HNTB helped deliver an enhanced seven-day-a-week bus service to one of the busiest corridors across the Minneapolis region. Containing Minnesota’s first bus-only tunnel along with other dedicated lane features along the route, the Orange Line connects Minneapolis, Richfield, Bloomington and Burnsville.

Collaborating with the METRO Transit team, HNTB led a multi-disciplinary effort to deliver this project and performed design coordination. The firm also helped improve constructability by limiting disruptions to the heavily traveled I-494 corridor and utilizing top-down construction methods in critical areas.

Additional services provided by HNTB on development and construction of the Orange Line included:

• Contract management and administration

• Preliminary engineering for roadway, stations and structures

• Project controls and cost estimating

• Public involvement

• Value engineering

• Final engineering

• Construction support

Wilson Station Reconstruction

Services: Architectural, structural, traction power, communications, train control, mechanical and environmental mitigation.

Leading design and assisting in construction oversight for the Chicago Transit Authority, HNTB assisted in the replacement of a 100-year-old facility with a new, modern and fully accessible station that created a new transfer point between the system’s red and purple lines. HNTB’s smart station design and use of high-performance materials, such as granite, concrete platforms, polycarbonate canopies and LED lights, will minimize life-cycle costs over the next 50 to 80 years. The updated facility has served as an economic anchor for the historic Uptown neighborhood, stimulating local business and job growth.

Another key part of the project was the restoration of the station’s 1923 Gerber Building, a long, onestory, beaux arts-style building that once was the primary station entrance to the CTA Red Line. Over the years, the building fell into disrepair despite its historic status, and renovations were made so it could once again be available for commercial use.