The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) has initiated a two-step selection process to identify a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) for its upcoming bus rapid transit (BRT) line along the Reading Road Corridor in Cincinnati, Ohio. The process involves shortlisting firms based on their qualifications, followed by inviting selected firms to respond to a Request for Proposals (RfP). The Reading Road Corridor BRT project represents a significant investment of approximately $167 million in BRT infrastructure for metropolitan Cincinnati. The CMAR delivery method involves a commitment by the construction manager to deliver the project within a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) and to provide input during the design and planning phases, helping to control costs and managing risks for the owner.
The planned Reading Road Corridor BRT line will span 5.97 miles and will connect downtown Cincinnati to the Roselawn neighborhood. The line will serve key areas, running from Downtown through the Over-the-Rhine, Mt. Auburn, Clifton Heights, and University Heights neighborhoods, and into Cincinnati’s Uptown district. From Uptown, the line will proceed northeastward, providing service to the neighborhoods and business districts of Corryville, Avondale, North Avondale, Paddock Hills, Bond Hill, and Roselawn.
The project is currently in the design phase. The anticipated construction scope is comprehensive and will include a civil package encompassing roadway resurfacing, drainage improvements, utility relocations, new sidewalks, ADA-compliant curb ramps, enhanced lighting, and pavement markings. Additionally, the project calls for the construction of 13 BRT stations, each equipped with all necessary supporting systems elements, and widespread traffic signal modernizations to ensure efficient bus operations.
SORTA is leading the project team, which consists of multiple key stakeholders across the service area. These partners include the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Hamilton County, the City of Cincinnati, and the crucial funding partner, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Other integral partners include a design consultant serving as the Engineer of Record and an Independent Cost Estimator (ICE) who will be contracted by SORTA in conjunction with the selected CMAR. The project’s funding will be a combination of local dollars and federal financial assistance from the FTA.