Valley Metro awards LRT extension contract

Phoenix's Valley Metro on Thursday selected Valley Transit Constructors (VTC), a joint venture, for the design and construction of the $200 million, 3.1-mile Central Mesa light rail extension into the namesake Arizona municipality. Parsons Transportation Group, part of the joint venture, will serve as lead designer. The agency's board of directors voted unanimously to accept the $111 million bid.

“Metro transitioned to a Design-Build delivery method to expedite the project, encourage collaboration and take advantage of favorable market conditions,” said Valley Metro CEO Steve Banta. “We are pleased to have Kiewit, Mass Electric, and Parsons Transportation Group back on board following their years helping to successfully design and build portions of the current light rail line.”

The joint venture also is indicating its ability to complete construction by 2015, one year ahead of current projected timelines, Valley Metro said. “Securing VTC brings METRO one step closer to building the Central Mesa extension,” said Mesa Mayor Scott Smith. “The Design-Build method speeds up the process allowing the extension to open early but not without taking into consideration the needs of Mesa businesses and residents along the line.”

VTC will be issued a Limited Notice to Proceed for design and utility relocations early next month. A more detailed schedule will be offered for community review and public input by month’s end. Utility relocation could break ground in late May.

The LRT extension includes four stations and an end-of-line park-and-ride. More than 75% of the required funding through a combination of federal Congestion, Mitigation, and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) funds, federal transit capital outlays, and state funding through Proposition 400, a half-cent state sales tax. A full funding agreement is expected from Federal Transit Administration this summer.