Valley Metro Rail Operations and Maintenance Center Expansion

Construction expanded the storage capacity for housing a fleet of more than 90 vehicles. Additional expansions included the maintenance of equipment (MOE) and maintenance of way (MOW) buildings. New storage tracks and cleaning facilities also were built. Phased construction ensured unaffected operations and maintenance of the current light rail system.

Gannett Fleming provided maintenance facility consultant services under a design-build contract, including civil, structural, industrial, systems integration, track design engineering, and safety and security services. Expansion services at the maintenance center yard included:

• MOE expansion of about 36,000 square feet to support preventative maintenance and repair.
  • Rail-fed maintenance bays.
  • Administration space.
  • Control center.
• MOW expansion of about 25,000 square feet.
  • Light rail infrastructure service.
  • Administration space.
• Increased on-site parking.
• Added storage and circulation track for LRVs.
• New LRV cleaning platform.
• New traction power substation.
• General site and utility upgrades.

Project delivery occurred via a design-build team with a fast-tracked design, working collaboratively to ensure service throughout construction. The design-build delivery method took advantage of streamlined communications and quick resolutions to expedite the design and construction process and be ready to deliver the new rail cars.

• Larger OMC yard supports an expanded LRV fleet.
• Automatic track switches eliminate manual control, reducing deployed operations personnel, lowering costs, and increasing safety.
• Additional roof and wall insulation increases the MOW facility’s energy efficiency.
• New LED lighting fixtures replace 20-year-old ones.
• Redundant traction substation ensures maintenance of power.

• Expanded infrastructure enhances the services available to the public.
• Efficient low-profile facility supports a full fleet build-out.
• Improvement of outdated and inadequate systems reduces maintenance and upgrades.
• New rail design reduces choke points to eliminate single-issue causes of service outages.