Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff also jumped into the conversation with a blunter view. “We do need to get past this milestone of putting the first train into service.” She added that this process was likely to be completed in the next six or seven weeks with the first train. “We have a reasonably conservative projection that will allow us to achieve the fleet we need this year,” she said. Project management deputy director Tracy Reed, however, was somewhat optimistic that the schedule recovery plan would be successful. Other demands for agency resources could also affect the schedule recovery plan. Unknowns like how the Covid pandemic may evolve could create new challenges and unanticipated delays to the process. In the briefing last week, agency staff said that the fleet qualification process still faced risks. The total project float has narrowed further with only 42 days of float remaining. November’s schedule recovery plan for LRV delivery and service commencement. The schedule recovery plan stipulated having six LRV cars in service by early 2021 for burn-in and testing with 30 or more in service just before the scheduled revenue service date for the Northgate Link extension. Only 26 of the 68 Siemens S700 LRV cars had been received at the time with 40 more still on their way for delivery. Sound Transit had noted that project float had narrowed to two months, a small window for completing project elements and opening the extension on time. In November, agency staff warned of LRV delivery and testing scheduling challenges for the Northgate Link project. Despite scheduling challenges, optimism prevails The agency’s head, however, is still confident that the extension should be able to open on time. In a briefing last week, agency staff walked through the critical path and challenges that the agency is facing in getting the vehicles ready for revenue service. Any further loss of time and problems could mean a delay to the start of service to Northgate in the fall. The critical window for light rail vehicle (LRV) burn-in and testing is still tight for Sound Transit’s Northgate Link extension. Seattle voters continue to show support for expanding Link light rail. A view of the new elevated section of track near Northgate Station with light rail vehicle testing.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |