PGH Wong/STV JV oversees Sacramento light rail extension

Sacramento, Calif. — The Sacramento Regional Transit District’s (RT) already bustling light rail system is expected to get busier thanks to the successful debut of the Blue Line to Cosumnes River College (CRC) Extension. PGH Wong Engineering, Inc. and STV worked in joint venture to provide construction management services for the project.

The $270 million, 4.3-mile extension, also known as South Sacramento Corridor II, has been heralded as one of the highest priority transportation projects in the Sacramento Region. The extension, which includes four new stations, 2,700 park-and-ride spaces, and a new transit center at the Cosumnes River College Station, held its grand opening on August 24, 2015, with the Celebratory Train originating from the Meadowview Station to the Cosumnes River College Station. The project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

This light rail extension now provides connectivity for the residents of South Sacramento and Elk Grove to Sacramento’s downtown, relieving some of the congestion for commuters into the city, as well as providing access to the Cosumnes River College campus.

The project introduces many displays for public art, including Moire Array panels on the Cosumnes River Boulevard aerial structure; seven-foot butterflies at the Center Parkway Station; and the “Esperanza,” an ornate metal arch that welcomes riders to the Franklin Station.

More information about the project can be found at https://blueline2crc.com.

The PGH Wong-STV joint venture was contracted by RT to perform construction management services, including inspection, administration, and field office operations. Other tasks performed by the joint venture included coordinating, observing, and inspecting contractors’ work with regard to street, bridge, light-rail station, park-and-ride lot, track right-of-way, and track/systems construction.

“I am proud to be a part of such an incredible project that will bring regional benefits and connectivity to the community I grew up in,” said Guy Nakano, P.E., PGH Wong’s construction manager for the project. “The project team worked with RT and other stakeholders to overcome the many obstacles and challenges to make this light rail extension a reality.”

“Coordination was a critical part of this project,” said Kevin Kim, LEED AP, one of STV’s resident architects assigned to the initiative. “The rail line runs through many urban areas, which required the modification of existing roadways within the corridor. The Cosumnes River College Station also needed to connect to an existing parking structure via a newly constructed pedestrian overpass.”

Sacramento’s light rail system was ranked the 11th busiest in the nation in a recent survey conducted by the American Public Transportation Association, with the new extension linking to the fastest growing portion in Sacramento County. As such, installation of new track was integrated into existing elements of the light-rail system, such as the overhead contact system, traction power substations, signaling, traffic systems, and communications systems.