SEPTA awards consultant contract to HNTB Corporation for final design phase of King of Prussia Rail Project

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) awarded a consultant contract to HNTB Corporation for the final design phase of the King of Prussia Rail (KOP Rail) Project.

The contract marks another major milestone for the project, which will extend the existing Norristown High Speed Line (NHSL) four miles into King of Prussia, providing a “one-seat” ride from any station along the NHSL, including 69th Street Transportation Center in Upper Darby and Norristown Transportation Center.

“KOP Rail will connect the three largest employment hubs in the region – Center City, University City and King of Prussia – increasing access to 60,000 jobs,” said SEPTA Board Chairman Pasquale T. Deon Sr. “Frequent and reliable transit service is necessary for our region’s economy to recover and grow.”

The total contract amount for Basic Design and Construction Documentation (Phase A) and Construction Related Services (Phase B) is $124,999.

The contract with HNTB will progress the engineering and architectural design from 30 percent to final design, which is required for the project to be eligible for Federal Transit Administration New Starts Capital Investment Grant funding.

SEPTA’s Fiscal Year 2023 Capital Budget commits $390 million to advance KOP Rail and the authority will seek a Capital Investment Grant to support up to 60 percent of the total project cost.

“The future of KOP Rail is contingent on the significant state and local resources that are needed to leverage potential federal investments,” said SEPTA General Manager and CEO Leslie S. Richards. “Adequate state and local funding is critical to advance SEPTA’s capital projects and investing in transit is an investment in our region and the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”

Construction is expected to begin in 2025 if full funding is secured.