Valley Metro has selected Sundt/Stacy and Witbeck (SSWJV), a joint venture between Sundt Construction and Stacy and Witbeck, to construct the Gilbert Road Extension of the light rail public transportation system that serves Phoenix and the surrounding metropolitan area.

 

The extension will expand light rail service in Mesa, Ariz., east for about two miles along Main Street from Mesa Drive to Gilbert Road. Preconstruction began in December, and SSWJV expects construction to begin in August 2016 with a target completion date of September 2018, according to a Sundt Construction press release.

 

“The Gilbert Road Extension is an important link that will connect our neighborhoods to downtown Mesa, Tempe and Phoenix,” says Mesa Mayor John Giles in Valley Metro press release. “The East Valley has embraced the growth of light rail as a transportation option along with the economic development revival that comes with this type of investment.”

 

Jacobs Engineering will provide design services on the project.

 

In addition to 1.9 miles of new light rail track, the $75 million dollar project will also result in the construction of a new park-and-ride facility Gilbert Road and Main Street. The Construction Manager at Risk project also includes underground utility relocations, two new stations and roundabouts, traction power and electrification, and signals and communications, according to Sundt Construction.

 

SSJVW has worked on light rail construction in the past. The joint venture constructed over half of the original 20-mile light rail track from 2004 to 2008 and is currently constructing the 3.2 mile light rail extension along 19th Avenue from Montebello Avenue to Dunlap Avenue in Phoenix. It also built the light rail systems maintenance facility in Phoenix.

 

“We look forward to building the next segment of light rail with Stacy and Witbeck/Sundt and Jacobs Engineering,” says Steve Banta, Valley Metro CEO, in a press release. “Both firms have a strong track record building light rail in the Valley as part of the team that constructed the original 20 miles.”