SEPTA is looking to hire an engineering consultant to “advance further engineering of the King of Prussia Rail extension of the Norristown High Speed Line,” according to a press release. Responses to the RFP (Request For Proposal) for an engineer are due in September, when the SEPTA Board will vote to award the contract following staff recommendations on the bids.

“The extension of the Norristown High Speed Line to King of Prussia will promote and strengthen regional growth by better linking Center City, University City and King of Prussia — the Greater Philadelphia region’s three largest employment centers,” said SEPTA General Manager Jeffrey D. Knueppel in the release.

The RFP’s scope encompasses the detailed preliminary design work, including surveying and utility and geotechnical investigations, writes Gary Puleo in The Times Herald.

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An option is also incorporated in the RFP to design engineering tasks and delivery contract documents, including technical specifications, drawings, schedule, cost estimates, survey stake-out and construction phasing documents to complete the 30 percent design. The selected engineering consultant will be involved in taking into consideration the public’s needs as the design is developed and finalized.

“KOP Rail will benefit residents, students, our customers and businesses in the region,” said SEPTA Director of Strategic Planning & Partnerships Elizabeth Smith. “The rail extension will increase regional mobility and give customers an alternative to congested highway travel while supporting multimodal transportation.”

KOP Rail is SEPTA’s proposed extension of the existing Norristown High Speed Line (NHSL) into King of Prussia, providing a “one-seat” ride to King of Prussia from either the 69th Street Transportation Center in Upper Darby, or the Norristown Transportation Center.

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