The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) has contracted with Chen Ryan Associates (CRA) to replace five traction power substations (TPSS) for the San Diego Trolley light rail system. CRA subcontractor STV Inc. is the overall task lead.
The project team will design plans to replace the existing TPSS while minimizing system impacts and delays, “maintaining the operational efficiency of MTS’s extensive 65-mile track network and keeping the system’s 300,000 weekday trips on schedule.” STV will provide comprehensive systems, civil and structural engineering services for the traction power site layout design, substation building foundations and retaining walls.
MTS’s initiative to replace and decommission aging TPSS, some of which have been in place for more than 30 years, ”addresses the challenges posed by aging infrastructure that is surpassing its life expectancy,” STV noted. “With replacement parts becoming increasingly difficult to procure and structural deterioration emerging, this project is crucial for ensuring the continued safe and reliable operation of the trolley system.”
“While STV has provided maintenance facility design for MTS in the past, this marks the first collaboration between MTS and our systems team,” said Ja-Mie Luey, P.E., STV Vice President and West Coast Rail and Transit systems lead. “We look forward to leveraging our extensive experience in substations design to help MTS rehabilitate its transit system, which plays a crucial role in empowering the San Diego community.”
STV’s national systems team specializes in signaling, communications, power and control systems for light rail, heavy rail and bus transit projects, supporting design and commissioning of traction power systems and OCS (overhead contact systems) nationwide, including the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Authority (MDOT MTA), the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and Utah Transit Authority (UTA). The company has just opened a new 12,290-square-foot office at the Galleria Office Towers in Far North Dallas, Tex. that “strategically places STV closer to its local clients,” among which is the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) LRT.
