Project overview
Vanir is supporting King County Metro (Metro) towards achieving a fully zero-emissions fleet by 2040. As one of the 10 largest transit agencies in the U.S., it has started building new facilities with large‐scale electrical charging infrastructure and developing information technology solutions for charge management and route planning.
Metro’s first focus is on its South Campus projects, which include the South Base Test Facility and Interim Base. Vanir is providing owner’s advisory and project and construction management services for Metro, including third party commissioning, review/analysis of cost estimating and scheduling, and inspection services.
- Test Facility: Involved the construction of a 13,910-square-foot charging facility for 40 battery-electric buses (BEBs) that also serves as a hub for the development of training and maintenance practices and sharing Metro’s industry leadership insights. It included the installation of new primary electrical services, electrical and communication duct banks, and civil, structural, and electrical components for charging infrastructure. (Completed in 2024)
- Interim Base: Converts the South Interim Base into a 543,901-square-foot BEB charging facility. It includes the installation of new 26 kV primary electrical services; Wi-Fi communication infrastructure; electrical and communication duct banks; civil, structural, electrical, and communication components to provide the infrastructure for charging stations and charge management systems; and new overhead gantry crane, work platforms, and fall protection systems for upgrading the existing Vehicle Maintenance building to support charging operations and maintenance of 120 BEBs. (Completion expected end of 2026)