We are working alongside Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) as the delivery partner to align ideas, systems and stakeholders to build readiness for a complex light rail program at scale.
Austin’s rapid growth is placing pressure on its transportation network, driving the need for a new mobility option. The Austin Light Rail program — a multi‑billion-dollar investment in a 9.8‑mile system with 15 stations — aims to expand access, reduce congestion and support long‑term economic growth in Texas, United States (U.S.). This system is expected to create or support tens of thousands of jobs and will have the opportunity to generate more than $35 billion in local and statewide economic impact as part of wider mobility improvements.
Our role as delivery partner places us side-by-side with ATP to prepare the program for implementation while advancing design, procurement and funding readiness in parallel. Alongside ATP, we’ve been engaging early to build alignment around delivery priorities, shaping a delivery approach grounded in data and risk readiness from the outset.
Coordinating complexity across a growing city
Delivering Austin’s first light rail system requires alignment across multiple agencies and local stakeholders and community members. The program operates within an expansive partnership environment with ATP, CapMetro and the City of Austin, where decision-making must balance speed with accountability and public oversight. With the surrounding community taking a strong interest in the project, we also need to ensure we are engaging local stakeholders while maintaining steady program momentum.
Artist conceptual visualization, Austin Transit Partnership
Embedding delivery capability from day one
We worked with ATP to structure a delivery approach that combined local knowledge with global capability, grounding our work in early engagement and close collaboration across partners. During early mobilization, we established governance structures, a clear reporting cadence and milestone-driven delivery. In parallel, we implemented unified program controls to connect schedule, cost, risk, change and document management into a single framework for decision making.
Our role spans program management, procurement strategy, systems integration and federal funding support. We supported progressive design-build procurements across major packages, aligning commercial strategies with market conditions while maintaining program objectives. Alongside this, we developed a safety and security framework and advanced operational readiness planning, supporting the transition from program set-up to delivery.
Artist conceptual visualization, Austin Transit Partnership
Readiness as a delivery strategy
We are treating readiness as a continuous process rather than a fixed milestone: starting in pursuit and extending through delivery. Early listening and engagement are shaping both the delivery model and the supply chain approach, creating continuity from design and positioning through procurement and execution.
We assisted in the structured onboarding for delivery partners, early market engagement to strengthen competition, and phased procurement approaches that balance speed with confidence. These mechanisms support ATP in managing complexity while building trust and maintaining momentum.
Artist conceptual visualization, Austin Transit Partnership
Early momentum with a platform for delivery
Within the first phase, ATP established a functioning delivery organization and advanced critical milestones. This included rapid mobilization, implementation of integrated program controls, and the successful procurement and award of two progressive design-build contracts within 16 months. Together, these outcomes mark a critical shift from planning to execution, supported by aligned governance and structured delivery processes.
The program is now positioned to progress into final design and construction with a clearer pathway to delivery. Beyond immediate milestones, the work has created a scalable model for managing complexity, engaging stakeholders and supporting long-term system performance as programs continue to evolve.
Artist conceptual visualization, Austin Transit Partnership