SUBJECT
title
Consideration for approval of the selection of the top ranked consultant for the RFQ FY25-ENG-57 Project Administration and Management Downtown Rail Corridor Safety Planning Project; and authorization to negotiate and award a professional services contract not to exceed $5,000,000.00. A total of (5) firms responded to the request for qualifications Tuesday, September 18, 2025, and the top (2) firms presented on September 30, 2025 to the evaluation committee.The committee recommends the selection of top ranked consultant HDR Engineering, Inc., San Antonio, Texas. There is no financial impact at this time.
1. HDR Engineering, Inc., San Antonio, Texas
2. RailPros, Inc., Irving, Texas
3. Patrick Engineering Inc, Chicago, Illinois
4. LJA Engineering, Inc., Laredo, Texas
5. Ardurra Group, Inc., Laredo, Texas
body
VIVA LAREDO PLAN ALIGNMENT
Alignment Rating: Strong
Supporting goal(s)/policy(ies):
Policy 4.14.2 “Pursue grade separations at key railroad crossings to improve safety and traffic flow.”
Policy 4.14.3 “Work with railroad companies to reduce conflicts between freight rail and city traffic, particularly downtown and near schools.”
Summary of alignment:
The Project Administration and Management of the Downtown Rail Corridor Safety Planning Project demonstrates strong alignment with the Viva Laredo Comprehensive Plan. The plan explicitly calls for rail safety improvements, grade separations, and partnerships with rail operators, all of which are embodied in this initiative.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION
On September 15, 2025, City Council approved Ordinance 2025-O-174 authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo FY2025 Capital Grant Fund to appropriate revenues and expenses in the amount of $5,000,000.00 for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant for the Downtown Laredo Rail Corridor Safety Planning Project. The project is a highway-rail grade crossing improvement project to support planning activities for 31 at-grade crossings. The project includes development of construction documents to include installation, repair or improvement of grade separations, railroad crossing signals, gates and related technologies, highway traffic signalization, highway lighting and crossing approach signage, roadway improvements such as medians or other barriers, railroad crossing panels and surfaces and safety engineering improvements to reduce risk. The project includes two grade separations, five crossing closures, nine crossing signal installations and roadway improvements including medians, and fifteen roadway-only improvements. Funding is available in the Capital Grants Fund.
On September 15, 2025, City Council approved Resolution 2025-R-235 authorizing the City Manager to ratify acceptance of a grant agreement in the amount of $4,000,000.00 from the US Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grant for the purpose of funding the preliminary planning, engineering and other work required for the subsequent applications for the grade crossing and grade separation improvements. Local match of $1,000,000.00 from Texas Mexican Railway Company and The Kansas City Southern Railway Company accepted via Resolution 2025-R-142. Grant Funding is on a reimbursement basis. Funding is available in the Capital Grants Fund.
On May 19, 2025, City Council approved Resolution 2025-R-142 authorizing the City Manager to ratify acceptance of a private partnership funding agreement in the amount of $1,000,000.00 from the Texas Mexican railway company (“TM”), a Texas statutory
corporation, and the Kansas City Southern Railway company (“KCRS”), a Missouri corporation qualified to do business in Texas (TM and KCRS together referred to herein as “CPKC’). This funding represents the 20% non-federal match for a US Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant in the amount of $4,000,000.00 80% for a total project cost of $5,000,000.00. Submission of this Funding Agreement will be used to further the awarding of the CRISI Grant.
On October 17, 2022, City Council approved Resolution 2022-R-178 authorizing the Interim City Manager to submit an application, in partnership with The Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCS) for a planning grant in the amount of $4,000,000.00 to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. Funding for this program will be for preliminary planning, engineering, and assessments of certain rail crossings where safety, efficiency, and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail can be improved. Work completed through the funding program is required for the City to be eligible to pursue additional federal funding to move forward with construction of grade crossing and grade separation improvements in Laredo. Kansas City Southern Railway Company has committed to cover the required 20% federal match in the amount of $1,000,000.00 for a total project cost of $5,000,000.00.
BACKGROUND
The City of Laredo is accepting Statement of Qualifications (SOQs) from qualified firms interested in providing professional services for Project Management and Administration of the Downtown Laredo Rail Corridor Safety Planning Project. The Downtown Laredo Rail Corridor Safety Planning Project (Project) is a highway-rail grade crossing improvement project, including installation, repair, or improvement of grade separations, railroad crossing signals, gates, and related technologies, highway traffic signalization, highway lighting and crossing approach signage, roadway improvements such as medians or other barriers, railroad crossing panels and surfaces, and safety engineering improvements to reduce risk. The Project will support planning activities for 31 at-grade crossings in the City of Laredo, which will be improved through the construction of two grade separations, five crossing closures, nine crossing signal installations and roadway improvements, including medians, and 15 roadway-only improvements.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
NA
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Approval of this motion.
end
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Year:
Budgeted Y/N?:
Source of Funds:
Account #:
Change Order: Exceeds 25% Y/N:
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact at this time.