Bechtel Infrastructure/adtranz Team Low Bidder On Southern New Jersey Light Rail Transit System

The Southern New Jersey Rail Group (SNJ Rail), a joint association of two world-renowned transportation and engineering groups, Bechtel Infrastructure Corporation and Adtranz, submitted the $615 million bid for the light-rail contract to design, build, operate, and maintain the new transit system. Bechtel, the global engineering and construction firm, has been an active engineer and constructor in New Jersey for over 40 years. Adtranz, a joint venture of ABB and Daimler-Benz is a world-class supplier of transit vehicles and systems.

SNJ Rail's total bid was the lowest among the five groups vying to win the job. Bids were also based on a technical evaluation of the companies' engineering proposals, and SNJ Rail received the highest score. New Jersey Transit Corporation and state officials must review the bid documents before a contract is awarded and notice to proceed given. Work on the SNJLRTS will begin in 1999, with operating service commencing three years after notice to proceed.

"This is a critical infrastructure project for the entire region and is an important step forward in continuing efforts to improve mobility and transit access for the Southern New Jersey communities along the Delaware River," noted Ed Richardson, President of Bechtel Infrastructure Corporation. "We're proud to be part of a collaborative effort that will create a strategic economic asset for the residents of New Jersey."
The Southern New Jersey Light Rail Transit System (SNJLRTS) will be the first application of a diesel light rail transit system in the United States on an existing freight corridor. A majority of the rail line runs on the existing Conrail right-of-way. The SNJLRTS Initial Operating Corridor will be a 34-mile segment between Trenton and Camden, NJ, with potential future extensions. The transit system will link suburban communities in Mercer, Burlington, and Camden counties. The project transverses a mix of historic, urban, suburban, commercial, and industrial land uses where there is enormous potential for development and economic opportunities, community revitalization, and quality-of-life improvements. Service will be provided by modern, diesel-powered light rail cars offering a cost effective solution to transit needs in Southern New Jersey. The scope of work includes approximately 34 route miles; 20 station stops; over 20 rail bridge/overpass structures (renovations, upgrades, replacements, and new bridges); over 50 grade crossings; an equipment, maintenance, and yard facility; and the supply of vehicles.

Constructing the project within the Conrail right-of-way while accommodating existing freight traffic will be a challenge, as will constructing the section of downtown Camden while maintaining and protecting street-level traffic. With its extensive rail transit experience, Bechtel is certainly up to these challenges. The firm recently completed construction management services for New Jersey Transit Corporation on the Kearny Connection project. Bechtel' s work on the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) project was recognized in 1997 by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers by designating BART a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. Bechtel is currently proceeding with a design/build contract to build the 5.5 mile Portland Airport Light Rail extension.

Partners with Bechtel and Adtranz include Conti Enterprises, Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade and Douglas, Inc., Metroplex Corporation, LB Foster Company, L.K. Comstock and Company, Inc., and specialty local minority and women engineering and construction subcontractors. SNJ Rail, together with its partners, is committed to working with the local communities along the alignment to encourage economic development and revitalization opportunities.

Bechtel, now celebrating its centennial year, is one of the world's most accomplished and experienced engineering, construction, and project management firms. Throughout the course of its 100-year history, Bechtel has built a reputation as an industry leader in the planning and management of complex infrastructure projects. Bechtel provides premier technical, management, and directly related services to develop, manage, engineer, build, and operate installations for customers worldwide. Some 36,000 Bechtel and joint-venture employees are at work on more than 1,000 projects in 63 countries, serving every industry that requires project facilities or expertise. The privately held firm completed work totaling $11.3 billion in 1997.

Adtranz serves the global transportation industry with products, systems, and services designed to enable large numbers of people to move easily from place to place. The company is a leading supplier of complete passenger rail systems, automated guideway transit systems, and automatic train control systems. Adtranz delivers the most advanced, proven technology available for rail transit systems and automated transit systems--the result of more than a century of participation in the transportation industry in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Adtranz has a proud history in the New York/New Jersey area with the supply of rail equipment and services to New Jersey Transit, New York City Transit, Metro North Railroad, and Port Authority Trans-Hudson, as well as the monorail at the Newark International Airport.