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Transportation Market Recap, November 2024

Written by FirmoGraphs Staff | Dec 4, 2024 10:37:22 AM

The November 2024 Transportation Market Recap is a recap of some of the most interesting and useful transit industry news from the previous month. It contains updates on industry drivers, notable projects, as well as some interesting reads.

Notable Capital Improvement Programs

Here are some recent, notable Capital Improvement Programs (CIPs). FirmoGraphs has deconstructed the CIPs into data elements, along with available project descriptions. Please feel free to request a meeting and review the data live in our business intelligence application.

Rio Metro Regional Transit District, New Mexico, Planned Capital Program Increased By 77%

In the CIP covering the 2025-2031 fiscal years, the Rio Metro Regional Transit District, New Mexico, detailed plans to spend $671 million on capital projects, an increase of 77% from $380 million in its 2024-2030 CIP. The current CIP has 90 line items, compared to 82 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down Clarksville’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs. 

Partner Agency Pass-Through Projects Funding Up 420%, Including Major Intersection Improvements

Planned spending in the Partner Agency Pass-Through Projects increased by 420% with funding for ongoing projects, which includes Rio Bravo Blvd./2nd Street Intersection & Gap Widening Improvements. 

Rio Metro Transit District Highlights $77 Million in Major Capital Projects

Rio Metro Regional Transit District has five notable line items valued at over $10 million. The most significant line item is the Rio Metro Zero Emission Transition-Buses, valued at $20million, under the Rio Metro Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan. Other notable line items include:

  • Rio Bravo Blvd./2nd Street Intersection & Gap Widening Improvements (A300942/A300945) - valued at $17 million, under the Partner Agency Pass-Through Projects category.
  • Rio Metro Valencia County Transit Facility, Phase 2 - valued at $14 million, under the Rio Metro Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan category.
  • Valencia County Transit Facility, Phase 2 - valued at $14 million, under the Capital Projects Program (Unfunded) category.
  • Southwest Chief Improvements CRISI - valued at $12 million, under the Partner Agency Pass-Through Projects category.  

Click Here to See Rio Metro Regional Transit District, New Mexico, CIP

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, Pennsylvania, Planned Capital Spending Increased By 36%

In the CIP covering the 2025-2036 fiscal years, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, Pennsylvania, detailed plans to spend $14 billion on capital projects, an increase of 36% from $10 billion in its 2024-2035 CIP. The current CIP has 172 line items, compared to 169 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.  

$800 Million Increase for Broad Street Line and Infrastructure Upgrades

Most of the business areas increased. The largest increase goes to the Projects of Significance category, which increased by nearly $800 million with funding for the Broad Street Line (BSL) Vehicle Replacement and Infrastructure and Mainline–Schuylkill Bridges and Interlockings (30th Street Station to Suburban Station). 

$600 Million Upgrade for Southeastern Pennsylvania's Transit System

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has three notable line items valued at over $100 million. The most significant line item is the Mainline–Schuylkill Bridges and Interlockings (30th Street Station to Suburban Station), valued at $372 million, under the Projects of Significance category. An additional $119 million is allocated for Communications, Signal Systems, and Technology Improvements, aimed at modernizing the signal system on the Broad Street Line and Broad-Ridge Spur, including upgrades to enhance operational reliability for the entire train control system. Lastly, $105 million is programmed for the rehabilitation of City Hall Station on the Broad Street Line and 15th Street Station on the Market-Frankford Line (MFL) to make the stations fully ADA accessible.

Click Here to See Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, Pennsylvania, CIP

City of Chesapeake, Virginia, Planned Capital Program Decreased by 16%

In the CIP covering the 2025-2029 fiscal years, the city of Chesapeake detailed plans to spend $861 million on capital projects, a decrease of 16% from $1 billion in its 2024-2028 CIP. The current CIP has 288 line items, compared to 295 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down Chesapeake’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs. 

Chesapeake Invests Over $100 Million in New Public Safety Training Facility with Expanded Features

The city of Chesapeake, Virginia, has one notable line item valued at over $100 million and five notable line items valued at over $20 million. The most significant line item is the construction, and outfitting of a new public safety training facility, valued at over $100 million, under the Community Facilities category. The training academy will include multiple classroom spaces, training administration needs, indoor shooting ranges, burn buildings, a confined space maze, vehicle extrication, canine training area, and other outdoor training facilities. Other notable line items include:

  • George Washington Hwy. (US Route 17) Widening - valued at $39 million under the Transportation category. This project funds improvements to George Washington Highway (US Route 17) by widening the existing two-lane undivided roadway to a four-lane divided roadway from approximately Yadkin Road to Canal Drive.
  • Northwest River Water Treatment Plant - valued at $33 million, under the Public Utilities category. This project funds the installation, replacement, rehabilitation, and expansion of all water treatment facilities, including but not limited to components such as pipes, pumps, control systems, electrical gear, chemical storage and feed systems, buildings, raw water sources, off-site pumps, wells, disposal sites for water treatment residuals, and other capital items to ensure the proper operation of the Northwest River Water Treatment Plant.
  • Kempsville Road and Battlefield Boulevard Intersection Improvements - valued at $27 million, under the Transportation category. This project funds a channelized westbound right-turn lane on Kempsville Road at Battlefield Boulevard for vehicles accessing the southbound Great Bridge Bypass/Oak Grove Connector (Bypass) on-ramp to reduce congestion at the intersection. It also funds roadway, shoulder, and ditch improvements on Johnstown Road.
  • Johnstown Road Ditch and Shoulder Improvements - valued at $23 million, under the Transportation category. This project funds roadway, shoulder, and ditch improvements on Johnstown Road. Additionally, it will provide an approximately 90 ft. right-of-way (ROW) section on Johnstown Road, extending approximately 3.5 miles from Buskey Road and Benefit Road to beyond Elaine Street.
  • Crestwood Intermediate - Replacement/Modernization and Conversion to K-5 - valued at $21 million, under the Education category. This project funds the replacement of the existing Crestwood Intermediate School to support the conversion from grades 3-5 to grades K 5.

Click Here to See City of Chesapeake, Virginia, CIP

City of Shoreline Public Works Department, Washington, Planned Capital Spending Decreased By 20%

In the CIP covering the 2025-2029 fiscal years, City of Shoreline Public Works Department, Washington, detailed plans to spend $208 million on capital projects, a decrease of 20% from $208 million in its 2024-2028 CIP. The current CIP has 21 line items, compared to 20 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down Henrico County’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs. 

Increased Capital Spending to Fund Key Corridor Improvements

Planned capital spending increased in the recent period with funding for ongoing projects, including N/NE 175th Street Corridor Improvements (Stone Ave to 1-5) and 145th Street (SR 523) Corridor Improvements, Aurora Ave N to 1-5 . 

Shoreline Allocates $111 Million for Major Roadway Upgrades

The City of Shoreline Public Works Department in Washington has two notable line items valued at over $25 million. The most significant line item is the N/NE 175th Street Corridor Improvements (Stone Ave to I-5), valued at $79 million. This project aims to improve corridor safety and mobility, connecting with improvements previously made by the Aurora Project. The improvements include reconstructing the existing street to provide two traffic lanes in each direction with medians and turn pockets; installing curbs, gutters, and sidewalks with planter strips where feasible; adding bicycle lanes (with portions integrated into the sidewalks for shared-use paths); enhancing illumination; landscaping; and building retaining walls where required. Additionally, $32 million is planned for the 145th Street (SR 523) Corridor Improvements from Aurora Ave N to I-5. This project is part of the implementation of the 145th Street Multimodal Corridor Study and will make improvements to signalized intersections between I-5 and Aurora Ave N to enhance transit service, general traffic flow, and pedestrian crossings.

Click Here to See City of Shoreline Public Works Department, Washington, CIP

Trending Blogs from Top AEC Firms

To stay abreast of industry marketing trends, we regularly review blogs of the nation's top consulting and construction firms.  These are some notable customer-focused blogs in November.

AtkinsRéalis Awarded Georgia Department of Transportation State Route 316 Construction Services Contract

Summary: On November 4, 2024, AtkinsRéalis announced in a blog post that it had been selected by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to provide Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) services for projects along State Route 316, aimed at reducing crashes and congestion between Atlanta and Athens. Under a $15 million contract, AtkinsRéalis will support multiple projects, including road widening, bridge replacement, and safety improvements. With over 25 years of partnership with GDOT, the company will provide services such as contract administration and quality assurance from its Atlanta office. These projects are part of a broader effort to improve infrastructure and safety in the region.

Delivering a Hawaii Transit Megaproject

Summary: On November 8, 2024, Stantec discussed in an article that the Skyline rail project in Hawaii is a $10 billion, 20-mile elevated system designed to reduce traffic congestion and provide sustainable transportation. It will connect East Kapolei to Honolulu’s urban core, featuring 21 stations and electric, driverless railcars. Stantec is supporting the project with construction engineering and inspection services. The project aims to cut carbon emissions, reduce reliance on imported oil, and stimulate the economy. Trains will be powered by electricity, and the system is set to create jobs while improving safety and mobility across the region.

AtkinsRéalis Awarded Georgia Department of Transportation State Route 316 Construction Services Contract

Summary: On November 21, 2024, AtkinsRéalis published an article announcing that it has been awarded a Project Management Oversight Contract (PMOC) by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to oversee major capital projects and related programs. With over 14 years of experience working with the FTA, AtkinsRéalis will leverage its expertise in transit planning, program management, construction management, and risk mitigation. The five-year contract will support critical transit projects, contributing to the growth and improvement of U.S. transportation infrastructure. The company is also providing PMOC services for other key projects, including the Bay Area Rapid Transit extension.