The Galveston Intermodal Transportation Committee on Wednesday received an update on the status of the Downtown Intermodal Transportation Terminal, a project of the Galveston Livable Communities Initiative.

Transportation consultant John Carrara of The Goodman Corporation discussed bids solicited by the Port of Galveston for construction of the project, which the port rejected last month.

“The bids from the port came in sky high, so they have switched to trying to do a construction manager at risk form of solicitation, where you establish a maximum price and then work very closely with the contractor and sub-contractors to meet that price,” Carrara said. Listen

Carrara said solicitations for the bid will be published this week, with proposals due on September 6. The Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves will consider the award of the contract on September 24. The port will then establish a price.

The committee also heard a presentation from David Bartels, also of The Goodman Corporation, regarding plans to develop a modification feasibility study for Galveston's trolley system, which is currently under repair. Listen

“We're looking at evaluating trolley system modifications and enhancements, which could be extensions, new routes, improvements to the pedestrian transit interfaces, so there's quite a few things here,” Bartels said.

Bartels said he was beginning to meet with stakeholders this week, including the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, and the director of the Galveston Park Board. Meetings will continue with stakeholders as the plan is developed.

“We were looking for the ITC to kind of be the lead group for this effort,” Bartels said.

Committee Vice Chair Lesley Sommer asked if there would be a web site available for more information on the modification study.

“We'd love to be able to do that, if we can maybe do that through one of the city web pages,” Bartels said.

The final report would be delivered to the committee in November, according to Bartels.