Cherry Creek School District Launches Electric School Bus Depot Project

Debashish Mukherjee — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:37:00 +0200

The Cherry Creek School District (CCSD) will mark the beginning of construction on a new electric school bus facility with a groundbreaking ceremony. The project represents a significant step in the District’s efforts to modernize student transportation through a partnership with Highland Electric Fleets, a leading North American provider of Electrification-as-a-Service (EaaS). Under the agreement, Highland will supply six bidirectional-capable Type C IC electric school buses, six 60kW bidirectional charging stations, fleet electrification expertise, and ongoing operational support.

This deployment forms part of Xcel Energy’s bidirectional charging demonstration program. Through this initiative, electricity stored in the buses’ batteries can be returned to the power grid during periods of high demand when the buses are not transporting students. The project is supported by funding that includes $2.4 million from Xcel Energy’s electric school bus rebate program, along with additional operational incentives.

“Cherry Creek School District is committed to pursuing opportunities that benefit both the environment and taxpayers,” said Dr. Jennifer Perry, Interim Superintendent of CCSD. “This partnership advances our sustainability objectives while creating long-term operational efficiencies.”

The program provides the District with six electric school buses through a lease arrangement costing approximately $20,000 annually per vehicle. When fuel and maintenance expenses are considered, the lifetime ownership cost of a conventional diesel bus over a 12-year period is significantly higher than that of the electric buses offered through this initiative. After reviewing several fleet electrification options, the District concluded that this program delivered a competitive total cost of ownership, strong long-term value, and included the charging infrastructure and support services necessary for successful operations. Additionally, Highland and Xcel Energy will fund all required infrastructure upgrades, while Highland will handle maintenance beyond routine inspections and servicing.

Electric school buses offer several advantages over diesel-powered vehicles. They operate at substantially lower noise levels—up to four times quieter—helping create a more comfortable environment for both students and drivers. Their simplified design, featuring approximately 97% fewer moving parts than diesel buses, reduces maintenance requirements, lowers operating costs over time, and minimizes exposure to fluctuations in diesel fuel prices.

“School buses are among the most visible and frequently utilized assets within a community, making them an ideal candidate for electrification,” said Brian Buccella, Chief Commercial Officer at Highland Electric Fleets. “Cherry Creek School District is developing a transportation program that not only modernizes student travel but also demonstrates how bidirectional charging can contribute to grid reliability and broader energy management objectives.”

The Electric School Bus Depot Groundbreaking Ceremony will take place on June 4 at 10:30 a.m. at 16500 E. Smoky Hill Road in Aurora, Colorado.

Traylor-Walsh-Skanska Wins Hudson River Tunnel Contract

Debashish Mukherjee — Mon, 04 May 2026 15:19:00 +0200

The Gateway Development Commission has selected a joint venture formed by Traylor Bros., Inc., Walsh Construction, and Skanska to carry out Package 1C: The Hudson River Tunnel Section, a key phase of the Hudson Tunnel Project within the larger Gateway Program.

Package 1C involves building a new section of passenger rail tunnels beneath the Hudson River, connecting New Jersey and Manhattan. The project scope includes excavation of two parallel single-track tunnels, each stretching roughly 7,250 feet, running from the Hudson County Access Shaft in Weehawken, New Jersey, to the 12th Avenue Access Shaft on Manhattan’s West Side. Additional work includes installation of tunnel liners and flooring, construction of nine cross passages between the tunnel tubes, stabilization efforts near the Hudson Bergen Light Rail system, and permanent structural support work for the Willow Avenue Bridge.

These new tunnel tubes are a central component of the Hudson Tunnel Project, which aims to improve the dependability of rail travel along the Northeast Corridor. The initiative includes construction of two new tunnels beneath the Hudson River and rehabilitation of the century-old North River Tunnel, originally opened in 1910 and later damaged during Superstorm Sandy. Project leaders have described the Hudson Tunnel Project as a foundational element of the Gateway Program and one of the nation’s most pressing rail infrastructure priorities.

Construction activities under Package 1C will utilize specially engineered mixed-ground tunnel boring machines designed to navigate the challenging geological conditions beneath the river, including soft soils, weathered rock, and stabilized terrain. The work will also feature installation of precast concrete tunnel linings and permanent inverts, along with extensive ground treatment operations in complex underground environments.

Chris Hebert, vice president at Traylor Bros., Inc., said the contract award represents an important achievement for the joint venture and an opportunity to contribute to a nationally significant transportation project. He noted that the partnership combines extensive underground construction expertise and looks forward to collaborating with the Gateway Development Commission and stakeholders to safely complete this vital section of the Hudson Tunnel Project.

Jeff Twidwell, senior vice president of Northeast Transportation at Walsh Construction, emphasized the strength of the collaboration between Traylor Bros., Walsh, and Skanska, highlighting the group’s combined experience in large-scale transportation and tunneling projects. He stated that the project requires strong coordination, technical excellence, and a firm commitment to safety and quality, adding that the team is ready to deliver infrastructure critical to the region’s rail system.

Keith Chouinard, senior vice president and general manager of Skanska USA Civil, described the selection as recognition of the joint venture’s proven ability to handle highly complex infrastructure projects. He said the team brings extensive tunneling knowledge, operational discipline, and a strong focus on safety and performance to the project.

Gateway Development Commission CEO Tom Prendergast called the award of Package 1C another important advancement toward creating a more dependable and modern passenger rail network for the hundreds of thousands of commuters traveling in and out of New York City each day. He praised the joint venture’s experience and capabilities, expressing confidence in the team’s ability to successfully deliver a crucial portion of one of the country’s most urgent passenger rail initiatives.

The Traylor/Walsh/Skanska joint venture combines specialized expertise in heavy civil engineering and underground construction, supported by a strong history of delivering large transportation infrastructure projects. Under the agreement, the consortium will manage one of the Hudson Tunnel Project’s most technically challenging phases, including tunnel excavation, mixed-ground TBM operations, segmental lining installation, cross passage construction, and ground improvement work across difficult subsurface conditions.

Construction is scheduled to begin in the coming months once the notice to proceed is issued.

Daily CSR

Cherry Creek School District Launches Electric School Bus Depot Project

Traylor-Walsh-Skanska Wins Hudson River Tunnel Contract