The Sundt/Stacy and Witbeck joint venture added to its track record when another 3.2 miles of the Valley Metro light rail construction project opened in the Phoenix area with a community celebration on March 19.
Work on the Northwest Extension, which extends the line along 19th Avenue between Montebello and Dunlap avenues, began in January 2013.
Attendees at the celebration enjoyed a community expo and free, commemorative transit passes, allowing them to explore the full system and connect to new destinations on the inaugural day of service.
“Completing this project is major accomplishment for Valley Metro, the City of Phoenix, local residents and businesses and our joint venture,” said Project Manager Chris Elison. “This project was extremely successful and is a great example of how partnering can help foster an environment where the project comes first. It was one team fighting for the same goal: a successful project.”
The Northwest Extension is expected to serve approximately 5,000 riders per day. It is our fourth project for Valley Metro Light Rail. In 2008, Sundt/Stacy and Witbeck completed more than half of the original 20-mile section of the transit system (Line Section 4 and Line Section 5), plus the system’s maintenance and operations facility.
Seven additional high-capacity extensions are planned or are under construction to create a 66-mile system by 2034. The joint venture is in the preconstruction phase of the next extension, a 1.9-mile project that will stretch service beyond the Central Mesa extension on Main Street to Gilbert Road. The project includes two stations and a park-and-ride on the west side of Gilbert Road. The goal is to draw more light-rail passengers from the East Valley.
“The relationships we have built for over three years at the Northwest Extension will carry over to this project,” Chris said. “With these relationships we know what issues are important to Valley Metro and where we can add value.”