Transit projects in dense urban environments come with a built-in tension: how do you build something that moves people—without bringing everything to a standstill in the process? Traditional delivery models often fall short, because they typically follow a linear, siloed process that delays critical coordination until late in the project lifecycle. This approach can lead to misaligned priorities, reactive risk management, and limited flexibility to adapt to evolving project scopes or community needs.

In contrast, collaborative approaches like Progressive Design-Build (PDB) and CM/GC are changing the game. By bringing contractors, designers, transit agencies, and communities to the table early—aligning priorities, identifying risks, and making smarter, faster decisions before construction even begins.

One example of this is Stacy Witbeck’s work as CM/GC on two consecutive five-year, task-order-based contracts to rehabilitate light rail stations along TriMet’s MAX Blue Line in Portland, Oregon. Stretching across 15 miles through dense public and transit right-of-way, the project involved targeted upgrades to station amenities, utilities, access points, and platform surfaces—all while keeping the line operational and maintaining safe access for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicle traffic. With a collaborative delivery model, the team was able to coordinate closely with TriMet and local jurisdictions, sequencing work in a way that minimized disruption and preserved community mobility at every step.

Other examples such as the extensive public communication and involvement efforts on the SH183 North Mobility project will be discussed.

This session unpacks how collaborative delivery models like PDB make that kind of agility possible. We’ll explore mobility-minded construction strategies—temporary bus access, safe pedestrian paths, real-time service alerts—that are built into the process from the start. The result is a more connected, navigable community throughout the construction period—rather than one cut off by it.

And we'll ask: What if these “temporary” solutions become lasting improvements? How can we turn construction sites into the next generation of multimodal hubs? How can the collaborative delivery approach also fuel smarter planning around critical last-mile connections, ensuring transit systems are not only accessible, but fully usable.

For agencies and cities looking to build transit that connects communities—not just when the project is done, but every step of the way—collaborative delivery is the blueprint.