Walsh’s Archer Western leads Atlanta upgrade contract

This major improvement project, which is slated to begin in early 2016, further advances the agency's ongoing commitment to safe and efficient transit operations. Archer Western Construction, LLC is the primary contractor. Cleveland Electric, R. F. Knox, WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff and up to eight Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (seven of which are local) will participate as subcontractors.

The six-year base contract totals USD 165M with an additional USD 33.5M in contract options that include an extended warranty, hardware refresh, and provisions for long-term system operations and maintenance.

MARTA's TVS covers about nine miles (14.5km) of subway tunnel and underground rail stations, roughly one-fifth of the rail system's total footprint. MARTA has identified the renovation and renewal of its aging system as a top priority to maintain optimal functionality and state of good repair. MARTA's TVS includes a network of fans and dampers that effectively control and direct air flow during normal rail operations and in emergency situations.

"MARTA is ahead of the curve for dedicating a significant portion of its capital improvement budget to upgrading our tunnel ventilation system," said David Springstead, interim assistant general manager of capital programs and development. "In the transit industry, this is the largest single contract focused on this type of enhancement."

Archer Western Construction is a member of the Walsh Group Ltd., a 117-year old, family-owned company providing design, build, finance, and operation services. "Archer Western has been working with MARTA nearly 30 years constructing major infrastructure projects to improve the MARTA system", said Steve Hausler, vice president of Southeast Transportation Group. "We look forward to our continued partnership with MARTA in completing this critical upgrade to their tunnel ventilation system."