STV has signed a contract with the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) and the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) to spearhead traction power substations projects and battery-electric bus (BEB) charging infrastructure upgrades for the two agencies.
TriMet
STV will oversee the substations’ structural, civil and systems design as well as project controls for traction power design and civil site improvements on the replacement of 12 traction power substations along the TriMet's Metropolitan Area Express (MAX) Blue Line. The firm will also provide overall project management, leading a team of eight consultants.
Originally installed in 1983, the Blue Line’s substations are nearing the end of their expected service lives. TriMet aims to enhance availability, equipment access, reliability and overall safety, while reducing ongoing maintenance costs and the risk of service disruptions.
“We’re excited to partner with TriMet to support their vision for a sustainable and efficient transit system, bringing our extensive nationwide experience to Oregon,” said Ja-Mie Luey, P.E., vice president and West Coast rail and transit systems lead at STV. “This project represents more than just infrastructure improvement; it’s about enhancing the overall transit experience for the local community.”
SamTrans
SamTrans’ Innovative Clean Transit Plan, which guides the district’s transition to a 100 percent zero-emission fleet, aims to establish a total of 147 bus charging stations at South Base in two phases.
Phase 1 will focus on the first 37 stations and Phase 2 incorporates the remaining 110 stations. STV will provide comprehensive engineering and architectural design services for all 147 charging stations, along with charging infrastructure, transit operations, maintenance equipment and transit technology.
“Our efforts pave the way for SamTrans to complete their zero-emissions transition by 2034, six years ahead of the California Air Resources Board deadline,” said Mark Peterson, AIA, vice president and project manager at STV. “Our team takes great pride in our partnership to enhance District’s mobility options, benefiting not only the environment but also serving the diverse needs of the millions of customers who rely on SamTrans bus service each year.”
STV secured this project as its first task order under its current 6-year general engineering on-call contract with SamTrans, awarded in June 2023.
Eman Abu-Khaled | Associate Editor
Eman Abu-Khaled is a recent graduate of Kent State University with a bachelors in journalism. She works through Endeavor Business Media with Mass Transit as an associate editor. Abu-Khaled brings a fresh perspective to the visual side of journalism with an interest in video and photography work.
