Description

Thomas/Wright, Inc. (T/WI) , as a subconsultant to Parsons Brinckerhoff, provided engineering and technical services for the Interstate Max Light Rail line for the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (Tri-Met). T/WI designed the new water systems for the 8.3 mile extension of the light rail system. T/WI prepared over 300 maps and legal descriptions for property acquisition along the new light rail line. T/WI developed the water and HVAC systems design/build documents for a 2.5-mile section of the new line. T/WI completed the HVAC design for all of the substation and communications buildings along the new alignment.

The new water systems design included 10 new light rails stations with domestic and fire flow service. Elements of the water system included casings, water line, hydrants, meters, valves, backflow prevention devices, and irrigation connections. Utilities were coordinated with many other aspects of the project and the existing City of Portland utilities in the light rail corridor. Many of the rail stations included architectural and artistic design elements. The new water systems were integrated into these elements to provide a seamless transition between utility and architecture. 

The design-build documents provided a outline of the project and project specific requirements for the water and HVAC systems. HVAC design included analyzing heat loads from communications and transformer equipment. Much of the equipment in these buildings required strict but different ventilation requirements. The final HVAC design accommodated each piece of equipment. Contract documents and technical specifications were prepared.