Fort Worth hires consultant to move forward with citywide transportation master plan

Fort Worth City Council approved a professional services agreement with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. Nov. 13 to establish a transportation master plan for the city.

The details

According to city documents, four companies responded to the request for proposals, which was issued July 13. The agreement, which will cost the city $2.2 million, was awarded to AECOM Technical Services, Inc. because the firm ranked the highest based on the following criteria:

• Previous experience
• Effective planning processes and outcomes
• Project management structure and experience
• Availability of consultants
• Work quality and references
• Additional services, innovation or products

City documents stated that while the city has numerous transportation-related plans, there is not one comprehensive master plan that provides citywide foundational policies and guidelines.

Having a master plan is critical because, according to city documents, Fort Worth is the 12th largest city in the United States and is growing at a rate of 20,000 to 25,000 new residents each year. This rapid growth creates several challenges including:

• Maintaining the transportation infrastructure
• Funding needs
• Delivering projects designed to minimize congestion, support economic development and maximize operational efficiencies

According to city documents, the transportation master plan is expected to be completed by fall 2025.

A closer look

According to city documents, major components of the transportation master plan should help city officials to do the following:

• Develop clear goals and objectives for transportation over the next 20 to 25 years
• Establish multi-modal networks for safe, equitable and effective transport of pedestrians, cyclists, autos, freight and mass transit
• Accommodate projected geographic and population growth
• Consider other priorities voiced by the public during the plan’s public outreach and engagement process
• Develop a prioritized program of multimodal projects with clear limits, descriptions, funding sources, cost estimates and start dates