BergerWorld: 3rd Quarter 2005

Denver is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, with the population having expanded 30 percent between 1990 and 2000. To alleviate growing congestion problems, the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) is developing an ambitious $4.7 billion mass transit initiative.

One of the most congested corridors is Interstate 70, a direct route from downtown to Denver International Airport (DIA). To provide an alternate to this route, a private developer expressed interest in financing, building and operating an AirTrain between Union Station and DIA, the nation's fifth busiest airport. The Berger Group was selected to update previous ridership and revenue forecasts and evaluate the financial feasibility of the proposed link.

Berger team members met with transportation officials, planners and public and private stakeholders and identified key issues and objectives for the development of the AirTrain. Following these meetings, the Team prepared case studies of other urban airport transit links, including potential markets served and share of passengers captured, operating and fare characteristics and revenue. To identify the demand for an AirTrain, Berger transportation specialists reviewed DRCOG travel models and pre-9/11 airport usage. Berger determined that the majority of users would be Denver residents.

To attract additional passengers to the AirTrain service, Berger evaluated the option of installing remote baggage screening and check-in services. Experienced Berger security specialists evaluated the feasibility of operating remote security stations. Team members found that the seamless integration of AirTrain with airport operations would reduce waiting times and increase demand. Berger specialists also suggested the development of a discounted monthly pass to attract airport employees to the system.

A key concern of city and transit officials is ensuring that AirTrain proves financially feasible. To maximize the profitability of the system Berger engineers examined a number of equipment alternatives and identified short- and long-term operating costs. The Team then developed a preliminary operating plan, identified personnel costs and developed cash-flow statements for several different pricing plans. Since parking and rental cars provide significant revenue to DIA, the Berger team also evaluated the effects of AirTrain ridership on the airport's existing parking revenues.

The Team designed a cut and cover tunnel, boat sections, concrete transition structures and a steel box girder viaduct, as well as improved signals, communications and power systems for the line. The relocation was complicated by the construction of a section of the massive Central Artery/Tunnel project at the tie-in to Storrow Drive. Team members carefully coordinated construction schedules, conducted extensive noise and vibration studies and prepared comprehensive traffic maintenance plans to reduce the impacts of construction on the surrounding neighborhoods.

The Berger Group also assisted the MBTA's design-build team in the restoration of the suburban Greenbush rail line. For the past 45 years this line has sat empty, however under a new $497 million MBTA project, the 18-mile passenger line between Scituate and Boston will be reconstructed on the existing Greenbush corridor right-of-way. The line will service an estimated 8,400 passengers per day from Braintree, Weymouth, Hingham, Cohasset and Scituate, providing commuters with an attractive alternative to the crowded highways south of Boston.

The Berger Group provided quality assurance and technical oversight for the design of 30 railroad crossings and four train stations along the line. Berger engineers also assisted in the design of improved traffic and railroad signals, upgraded surrounding stormwater systems and grading and redesigned road/rail intersections.

In addition to improving at-grade crossings, Berger engineers assisted in the replacement of a key road bridge on Stockbridge Road in Scituate to meet current loading and clearance requirements. The Berger team also assisted in the reconstruction of nine other single-span bridges along the line.

The Team provided quality assurance for the environmental permitting, highway grading, drainage and traffic signal designs and stormwater management. Throughout the course of the project, Team members worked with the design-build team, the MBTA, MassHighway and local communities.