Ignacio B.

Ignacio is the Project Manager for the business case and procurement advisory of an automated transit connector from the City of San Jose’s airport to its principal regional multi-modal transit hub (Diridon Station) and within the airport by connecting terminals, parking, and other facilities. The project proposes a progressive development approach to work with infrastructure developers and automated transit technology companies to deliver a cost-effective connector that achieves a higher level… Show more

Ignacio is the Project Manager for the business case and procurement advisory of an automated transit connector from the City of San Jose’s airport to its principal regional multi-modal transit hub (Diridon Station) and within the airport by connecting terminals, parking, and other facilities. The project proposes a progressive development approach to work with infrastructure developers and automated transit technology companies to deliver a cost-effective connector that achieves a higher level of service and user experience than conventional airport people mover systems. In addition, the City’s goal includes options for expansion as an automated transportation network to its central business district and commercial-residential corridors targeted for medium-density development. Broader goals include a significant increase in housing production in the City of San Jose, including affordable housing. The Arup team is the City’s financial and technical advisor, delivering the business case, procurement strategy and documentation, and helping City staff secure approval for legislative authorization for the project’s procurement and funding approvals. The project’s development RFP was launched in May 2022. Show less

Ignacio is the Project Director for the business case and procurement advisory of a US$800M project to deliver a mission-critical, state-of-the-art electric bus maintenance and storage facility for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA). The SFMTA’s plan includes jointly delivering the new bus yard with a 500+ housing unit development. The housing component will deliver critically needed subsidised housing for lower-income residents. Arup’s role is assisting the SFMTA from… Show more

Ignacio is the Project Director for the business case and procurement advisory of a US$800M project to deliver a mission-critical, state-of-the-art electric bus maintenance and storage facility for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA). The SFMTA’s plan includes jointly delivering the new bus yard with a 500+ housing unit development. The housing component will deliver critically needed subsidised housing for lower-income residents. Arup’s role is assisting the SFMTA from strategic planning to financial closing and start of construction.

To date, the Arup team has helped SFMTA successfully secure Board approvals for funding and enabling legislation for the project’s innovative procurement model, launched the procurement to select a development partner, continue to build stakeholder and community support, successfully complete and submit the project’s environmental approval documents, advised on project governance and organisation to deliver a novel project and procurement method, and prepare procurement documents. Show less

Ignacio is a Strategic Advisor to the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA), one of the project’s key funders and sponsors, on the business case, governance and organisation, and project delivery of a US$5B rail tunnel project. The DTX project is the second phase of a larger program to create a multi-modal transit facility in San Francisco’s central business district, bringing together heavy rail, light rail, regional bus, local bus, and active modes together in one hub –… Show more

Ignacio is a Strategic Advisor to the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA), one of the project’s key funders and sponsors, on the business case, governance and organisation, and project delivery of a US$5B rail tunnel project. The DTX project is the second phase of a larger program to create a multi-modal transit facility in San Francisco’s central business district, bringing together heavy rail, light rail, regional bus, local bus, and active modes together in one hub – informally dubbed as the “Grand Central Terminal of the West”. The full project is a model for Transit Oriented Development in the United States, delivering over US$500M in value capture funding for the project’s construction. When completed the project will generate significant economic value to the San Francisco Bay Area and will deliver travel time savings and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. DTX includes two new underground rail stations connected by a ~2km long tunnel and will bring commuter rail and, when completed, future inter-city high-speed rail to the San Francisco central business district.

In 2019-20 Ignacio participated in a Peer Review panel for DTX and he led development of a new strategic work-plan to guide the project’s development and achieve durable regional consensus and funding support. The plan was adopted by the public sponsors to put this critical mega-project for the region’s economy back on a fast-track to secure funding sources, create a revamped governance structure, select the appropriate delivery method, and efficiently move the project to implementation.

Currently Ignacio is leading a team that is providing strategic advice to the SFCTA on the project’s benefits case, governance and organisational development, and studies prepared by the sponsor’s consultants for phasing of infrastructure investments and analysis of project delivery methods. Show less

Ignacio led the development of this $10B rail transit project's detailed business case in 2022/23. The project will be the first of its type in Auckland, New Zealand and will be the first component of a rail transit network for this fast-growing city of nearly 2 million people. Ignacio worked with the project team of Arup and Aurecon to win the consulting contract to deliver the feasibility studies and planning, engineering, and environmental review services. He assembled and led the team of… Show more

Ignacio led the development of this $10B rail transit project's detailed business case in 2022/23. The project will be the first of its type in Auckland, New Zealand and will be the first component of a rail transit network for this fast-growing city of nearly 2 million people. Ignacio worked with the project team of Arup and Aurecon to win the consulting contract to deliver the feasibility studies and planning, engineering, and environmental review services. He assembled and led the team of planners, economists, financial and procurement advisors, and governance and organizational advisors. In May 2023 the team secured sponsor endorsement for the project's definition of route, station locations, rail service typology, and integrated land use and transportation plan. In addition, Ignacio played a key role working with Auckland's Māori tribes as project partners to ensure delivery of key economic, social, and cultural outcomes and objectives. Show less

Ignacio is currently the Chairman and Project Director of the joint venture consulting team supporting the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Ignacio led the team that assisted the public sponsors with planning, business case development, regulatory approvals and consents, preliminary and final engineering, procurement, and construction management support.

The project is the replacement of the south approach… Show more

Ignacio is currently the Chairman and Project Director of the joint venture consulting team supporting the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Ignacio led the team that assisted the public sponsors with planning, business case development, regulatory approvals and consents, preliminary and final engineering, procurement, and construction management support.

The project is the replacement of the south approach to the Golden Gate Bridge, which is a key link in one of the San Francisco region’s main transportation access corridors. It includes two tunnels, viaducts, interchanges, and extensive landscaping and improvements to local infrastructure. It provides for new bus transit infrastructure, future light rail options, and active modes with pedestrian and cycling facilities.

The Arup-led joint venture team was instrumental in helping the public sponsors break the impasse and achieve consensus for a fundable and deliverable project with a clear and compelling benefits case. This was the key intervention to gain momentum and overcome decades of endless studies and disagreements among stakeholders. A key stakeholder to achieve success for delivery was the Presidio Trust, the federal government agency responsible for the Presidio national park, whose goals included property regeneration and value creation as part of its plan for financial self-sufficiency. In addition, as the steward of the National Park, the Presidio Trust had strict requirements for protection of its historic, cultural, and environmentally-significant resources. The SFCTA and Caltrans, supported by the consultant team, worked with the Presidio Trust to achieve a set of shared transport and land use goals. The US$1.1B project is scheduled to reach final completion in July 2022. Show less

Ignacio was the Project Director for the technical consultant as part of an independent assessment team proposing alternative project development and business case concepts for an US$900M highway reconstruction project near downtown Portland, Oregon. Arup worked with the local architect and the client to create a community-based framework to deliver restorative justice outcomes to benefit the neighbourhood’s historic Black community that was displaced by the highway’s original construction in… Show more

Ignacio was the Project Director for the technical consultant as part of an independent assessment team proposing alternative project development and business case concepts for an US$900M highway reconstruction project near downtown Portland, Oregon. Arup worked with the local architect and the client to create a community-based framework to deliver restorative justice outcomes to benefit the neighbourhood’s historic Black community that was displaced by the highway’s original construction in the 1960’s. The team developed three concepts, a governance structure, and a business case approach. The work succeeded in bringing key stakeholders back to the table to work with Oregon’s Department of Transportation and the Governor. The project is now proceeding to implementation. Show less

Ignacio was the Project Director for a strategic advisory assignment for the procurement and financing of a new city hall, public library, public park and real estate development worth over US$900M in capital investment. With the development model prepared by Arup in collaboration with the City of Long Beach, the city is not spending any more money annually to build, operate, and maintain the new infrastructure than it was spending prior to construction on simply maintaining the outdated and… Show more

Ignacio was the Project Director for a strategic advisory assignment for the procurement and financing of a new city hall, public library, public park and real estate development worth over US$900M in capital investment. With the development model prepared by Arup in collaboration with the City of Long Beach, the city is not spending any more money annually to build, operate, and maintain the new infrastructure than it was spending prior to construction on simply maintaining the outdated and seismically deficient old facilities. Arup developed the business case, procurement strategy, and process and supported the City’s negotiating team.

With Arup’s help, the project team achieved unanimous City Council approvals at three milestones, reaching commercial and financial close in 2016, and completing construction on time and on budget in 2019. Since 2016, the project has helped spur additional urban renewal and development in the City of Long Beach worth more than US$2.5B. Show less

Ignacio was a Senior Advisor for the Arup team developing an unsolicited proposal for a strategy to close the funding gap of the West Santa Ana Branch light rail project, which is part of LA Metro’s critical projects programme “28 by ‘28”, within their US$120B Measure M Programme. We developed a plan to close a more than US$1 billion funding gap for the US$5 billion project. Arup’s strategy is to analyse a comprehensive funding plan, including land value capture and Transit Oriented Development… Show more

Ignacio was a Senior Advisor for the Arup team developing an unsolicited proposal for a strategy to close the funding gap of the West Santa Ana Branch light rail project, which is part of LA Metro’s critical projects programme “28 by ‘28”, within their US$120B Measure M Programme. We developed a plan to close a more than US$1 billion funding gap for the US$5 billion project. Arup’s strategy is to analyse a comprehensive funding plan, including land value capture and Transit Oriented Development within half a mile of stations, jointly with the planning of the route, the infrastructure, and economic development and land use. The unsolicited proposal conceptually achieves this goal while also shortening passengers’ travel times and better mitigating environmental impacts. In addition, the proposed approach puts into practice Arup’s “Development Without Displacement” strategy that supports equality and diversity in local communities, proactively helps clients create anti-gentrification policies when developing major transport projects, and builds community support for transport investment. Show less

Ignacio was a Senior Advisor and Peer Reviewer for the Arup team that conducted a strategic review of the project’s procurement, in the context of the construction cost growing from an initial budget of US$1.9B to estimates at completion over US$3B. The cost and schedule overruns were threatening the project.

Arup’s strategic review was approved by the MBTA board and the Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation for approval. The project’s organisational structure was revamped and the… Show more

Ignacio was a Senior Advisor and Peer Reviewer for the Arup team that conducted a strategic review of the project’s procurement, in the context of the construction cost growing from an initial budget of US$1.9B to estimates at completion over US$3B. The cost and schedule overruns were threatening the project.

Arup’s strategic review was approved by the MBTA board and the Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation for approval. The project’s organisational structure was revamped and the MBTA implemented a new procurement approach. The new plan proposed a design-build delivery method, a revamped client delivery structure and team, and an optimized project scope and design to ensure affordability within budget. MBTA adopted the Arup team’s recommendations, implemented the reorganization, and terminated the CM/GC construction contract. The revamped strategy resulted in schedule improvement of 17 months plus more than US$500 million in cost savings.

A new design-build procurement was launched, with Arup assisting the client in preparation of the contract documents and procurement process management. FTA approved the plan in April 2017 within the adopted US$2.3 billion budget. It was rebid, and a design-build contractor was selected in November 2017 with a fixed-price, date-certain contract, and a bid within MBTA’s affordability limit. Construction started in 2018, with the project now progressing to plan, with the first phase completed in early 2022. All work was completed while remaining within the approved remit of the project’s Full Funding Grant Agreement and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). To date, our team has managed to meet or exceed every program milestone and continues to support the client through construction. Show less

Ignacio was the Project Manager for the business case to develop an elevated mass transit system serving one of the busiest and fastest growing areas of the capital city of 5+ million inhabitants. The 22 km long rapid transit line over a canal right-of-way was developed as an unsolicited proposal to the national government under its public procurement law. The funding and financial plan relied on a combination of fare box revenues and land value capture strategies around future stations to fund… Show more

Ignacio was the Project Manager for the business case to develop an elevated mass transit system serving one of the busiest and fastest growing areas of the capital city of 5+ million inhabitants. The 22 km long rapid transit line over a canal right-of-way was developed as an unsolicited proposal to the national government under its public procurement law. The funding and financial plan relied on a combination of fare box revenues and land value capture strategies around future stations to fund most capital and on-going operating costs, with limited capital funding subsidies. In addition, Arup developed a governance and organisational structure for the development and operation of the new line which worked with the existing Metro operator. The government of Chile approved the project concept and ultimately developed a new light rail transit line along the corridor. Show less