City Line Bus Rapid Transit System

The Spokane Transit Authority (STA) revitalization of the City Line, a new electric bus rapid transit (BRT) system, runs six miles from the Browne’s Addition neighborhood, through Downtown, and into the University District, where it will serve the WSU Health Sciences Campus, the University of Washington Spokane campus, Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, and Whitworth University. The line then travels through the Logan and Chief Garry neighborhoods, terminating at Spokane Community College. According to STA, City Line “combines frequency and efficiency in a modern streetcar-like experience.”

The project, funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Capital Investment Grant program, utilizes 11 zero-emission, modern, electric buses to provide an expected 1 million rides per year. City Line also offers pre-board ticketing, level boarding, and improved stations with custom-designed shelters, real-time signage, wayfinding, and other amenities. Highlights of the new system include:

• Next-Level Service: 15-minute frequency, six days a week except in early morning and late night hours, and 30 minute frequency on Sundays. Higher frequency coming in 2024.
• Quiet Buses, Clean Air: The City Line fleet will feature all-electric, state-of-the-art zero emission vehicle technology.
• Economic Benefits: City Line’s economic impact will bring an estimated $175 million into the Spokane region over twenty years.
• Enhanced Amenities: Near-level boarding, off-board ticketing, real-time signage and distinctively-branded buses and boarding stations.
• Reduced Congestion: City Line’s 60-foot buses will help mitigate traffic congestion and reduce expensive wear and tear on city streets.

To support delivery of the City Line, Hill provided project and construction management support. Hill’s responsibilities included pre-construction support; assistance with master planning; FTA-required Project Management Plan, Construction Management Plan, and Quality Management Plan; third-party estimating; constructability reviews; risk register input; on-site inspection and quality assurance; schedule reviews; permitting support; and prevailing wage reviews and wage compliance. Hill also provided change management support, and monitoring the submittal and RFI process, and Buy America requirements.

Hill’s work began with working in collaboration with Coffman Engineers as the prime consultant in assisting STA with pre-construction support, including a three-day pre-con workshop. Hill participated in the constructability review of the 90% Design Documents, reviewed the Master Schedule and advised on schedule, reviewing the bid documents as they were further developed.

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