Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) announced on April 15, 2026, that it selected Kiewit Austin Partnership (KAP), a joint venture between Kiewit Building Group Inc. (Kiewit) and Austin Commercial, as the design-build contractor for the system's Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF).
A contract dollar amount wasn't disclosed, although the entire light rail system is expected to cost approximately $7 billion.
The agency described the facility as a critical component of Austin Light Rail that will support daily operations and long-term system performance.
The approval of the KAP team enables ATP to begin pre-construction activities, including advancing design, initiating permitting and preparing the site for future construction.
"This is another major step forward, and we now have the full construction team that will deliver Austin's light rail system," ATP CEO Greg Canally said. "The Operations and Maintenance Facility is integral to the success of the system — it's where trains are maintained, cleaned and prepared for service each day. By bringing together a world-class construction partner with deep local experience, we are setting this project up for long-term success while creating jobs and economic opportunity across Central Texas."
The KAP team represents a strategic partnership between Kiewit, a global leader in infrastructure construction, and Austin Commercial, a local firm with extensive experience delivering complex projects in Austin, including landmarks such as Q2 Stadium and Circuit of the Americas.
"Kiewit brings extensive experience delivering complex transit infrastructure and design-build projects across North America," Mike Johnson, executive vice president of Kiewit Building Group Inc., said. "We're proud to support this important investment in Austin's mobility and deliver a high-quality project that will serve the community for years to come."
KAP will lead the design and construction of the Operations and Maintenance Facility, where Austin's light rail vehicles will be stored, serviced and dispatched. The facility will also serve as a workplace for operators, maintenance crews and support staff who will keep the system running safely and efficiently.
"Austin Commercial is pleased to serve the city of Austin and ATP as part of the Kiewit Austin Partnership," said Jack Archer, Austin Commercial's senior vice president for Central Texas. "Having lived and worked in Austin for more than 40 years, we're committed to delivering a project that serves this community with excellence."
KAP was identified as the highest-ranked firm following a rigorous, competitive procurement process that evaluated elements including firms' experience, personnel qualifications, technical approach and design innovation. ATP completed the procurement in approximately one year, faster than many comparable mega projects nationwide.
The selected team includes approximately 10 subcontractors for the design phase of work (roughly half in the Austin region) and will provide many more opportunities for local businesses to participate in construction.
The OMF project is expected to support thousands of jobs during design and construction, including roles for architects, engineers, skilled construction trades and suppliers. Once operational, the facility also will create hundreds of long-term careers in operations and maintenance, contributing to Austin's growing workforce and economy.
Following Board approval, KAP will begin work immediately, co-locating in the ATP office to advance design, conducting field investigations, coordinating utilities and preparing permitting packages. These efforts will help optimize the project's design, constructability, schedule and cost to ensure readiness for future construction.
Austin's first light rail system will feature 15 stations along a nearly 10-mi. alignment with all-electric trains running every 5–10 minutes throughout most of the day. The system is designed to be fully expandable to support future growth.
