Sound Transit Approves Contract for New Operations and Maintenance Facility
Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
Photo courtesy of Sound Transit
SEATTLE –– Sound Transit announces the first agency progressive design-build procurement will maintain and store light rail vehicles and provide more than 600 living wage jobs in South King County
The Sound Transit Board this week announced that it has approved a design-build contract for the Operations and Maintenance Facility South, located on about 70 acres at South 336th Street in Federal Way, to Hoffman Construction Company of Washington. The expected completion date for the facility is in 2032, and it will house operations and maintenance equipment, along with staff, to support the existing and future light rail vehicle fleet.
Sound Transit will adopt a contracting method that is widely used by other public agencies in Washington state, known as “Progressive design-build,” which is a phased procurement process where the design-builder is selected early in the project lifespan, primarily based on qualifications, and works closely with the project owner on cost and schedule control as the project evolves.
Sound Transit Deputy CEO and Chief Capital Deliver Officer, Terri Mestas, said “Advancing this project through progressive design-build is another example of how Sound Transit is responding to the Board’s directive to leverage best practices from our peers and industry to deliver cost-effective projects on schedule. This delivery method will help us better collaborate with our industry partners to manage risks, control costs and streamline decision-making — continuing our efforts to make Sound Transit an owner of choice in the region.”
Sound Transit said the scope of the work under the $350 million Hoffman contract award includes final design, site preparation, roadway improvements, long-lead material procurement and construction staging and support facilities. In addition, the project baseline budget and the additional cost of completion will require the Sound Transit Board to execute additional action.
Sound Transit reports that more than 600 people will be employed at the completed facility, and that they will “earn living wages.”
