USA: Denver Regional Transportation District has selected the GBBH joint venture for the North Metro Rail Line design-build contract. Balfour Beatty Rail holds a 50% stake in GBBH, which includes Graham Contracting, Hamon Contractors, Stantec Consulting Services and its subconsultant Parsons Brinckerhoff. The project is valued at $343m.
The 29 km, nine-station North Metro Line would follow BNSF and former Union Pacific rights-of-way from Denver Union Station to 124th Avenue, with an option to extend to 162nd Avenue in Thornton. Current plans envisage overhead electrification to allow the use of EMUs. The project forms part of RTD’s 190 km FasTracks expansion programme for light rail and commuter rail in the Denver area.
Subject to approval by RTD’s board of directors, expected on November 26, design and construction is scheduled to begin in early 2014 for completion four years later.
