The Phoenix City Council has awarded Bombardier a $260 million contract to help build Sky Harbor International Airport's driverless train system. Bombardier will design and build 18 train cars, operating the train-operating system and the maintenance facility.

The Bombardier deal is one of several agreements that fall under the umbrella of the $1.1 billion transit project. The 4.8-mile Sky Train system will shuttle passengers between the airport's three terminals, the rental-car facility, parking areas and the nearby light-rail station.

Hensel Phelps Construction is already building the train stations and elevated guide-way tracks for the project. When completed, this first stage will transport airport visitors and employees between the light rail, east economy parking and Terminal 4, which serves 80 percent of Sky Harbor's passengers. It should be completed in late 2012.

Stage two of the project will connect the airport to the Rental Car Center and will be finished in 2020.

John Laub is the Chairman of the Phoenix CEO-CFO Group.

1. "Council to Award Sky Train Contract." Scott Wong and Jahna Berry. The Arizona Republic. June 10, 2009.

2. "Airport's Automated Train Gets a Name: PHX Sky Train." Jahna Berry. The Arizona Republic. March 27, 2009.

3. "Bombardier Named to Provide and Operate PHX Sky Train." AirRail News. June 12, 2009.

4. "PHX Sky Train Frequently Asked Questions." http://phoenix.gov/aviation/