Valley Metro LRT extensions, powered by MAC Products

Electrified rail transit in Phoenix, Ariz., host city of the 2016 APTA Rail Conference, has been growing rapidly. Valley Metro recently opened two extensions to its light rail network—the Central Mesa LRT and Northwest Extension LRT. Kearny, N.J.-based MAC Products, Inc. won the OCS (overhead catenary system) component contracts for both, and completed them ahead of schedule.

The Central Mesa LRT is a 3.1-mile double-track extension from Sycamore/Main St. (a former terminus) in West Mesa to Hobson/Main St. in Central Mesa. Construction began in the summer of 2012, with MAC supplying OCS components beginning in July 2014. The extension opened for revenue service Aug. 22, 2015, seven months ahead of schedule.

The 3.2-mile Northwest Extension LRT runs north on 19th Avenue from Montebello to Dunlap Avenue, servicing more than 5,000 riders per day. Construction began in January 2013 with MAC supplying OCS components beginning in December 2014. The project was completed at the end of 2015, three months ahead of schedule.

“For more than 40 years, MAC Products has designed and manufactured a wide variety of high-quality products for both overhead catenary and third-rail transit systems throughout North America,” said President Ed Russnow. “On both Valley Metro projects, MAC manufactured and supplied the OCS material from the poles out—cantilevers, balance weight assemblies, section insulators, hangers, mid-points, fixed terminations and jumpers, along with substation pad-mounted disconnect switches. In addition, MAC also provided engineering and training support to the contractor for dealing with design changes and field condition requirements.”