Helping MBTA Keep the Green Line in the Black

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) Green Line Extension Project (GLX) was in jeopardy.  The MBTA turned to us for help finding a more effective project delivery method.

PROJECT DETAILS

The GLX will add 5-miles to the existing track to better service the communities of Somerville, Cambridge and Medford, Massachusetts.  The project includes constructing six new stations along with relocating and rebuilding the Lechmere station.  Once complete, the $2-3 billion project will reduce vehicle trips and air emission and increase access to fast and reliable public transit.

Due to ballooning costs, the MBTA retained us to examine the existing construction manager/general contractor delivery model and make recommendations on more effective delivery methods.  Based on our review, the MBTA terminated several contracts in 2015 in order to move forward with a design-build contract for the remainder of the project.  To avoid more costs going forward, the procurement we drafted included an affordability limit and identified prioritized six additive options for scope.

In November 2017, GLX Constructors won the design-build contract.  Their bid was approximately $237 million below the affordability limit and included all six additive options in the design-build contract scope.