West Virginia University has begun phase II of the scheduled upgrade work for the Personal Rapid Transit system.

As part of a multi-million dollar modernization project, the entire scope of work is being performed in three phases.

Estimated to cost $52.6 million, phase II of the project was approved by the WVU Board of Governors in April. Work will be focused on redesigning and replacing the Automatic Train Control System, replacing substations and electrical gear, and making tunnel repairs. The work is set to be completed on this phase in August 2016.

To celebrate the advancement of this project, an open house has been scheduled for Thursday, May 22, from 1-2 p.m. at the PRT central office located on Beechurst Avenue. Among those in attendance will be representatives from the selected vendor, Thales. A global technology leader in the aerospace, transportation and defense and security markets, Thales will supply a turnkey transport systems solution for the PRT. Company representatives will be on hand to demonstrate some project activities and manage some interactive workstations featuring their products.

WVU Associate Vice President of Facilities and Services Randy Hudak is excited about the impending work.

“The improvements in phase II should help with reliability of the system,” Hudak said.

The final work will be completed during phase III, which is set to begin in August 2016 and will be finished by July 2018.

Phase III will be focused on replacing the entire PRT fleet in addition to inspecting, documenting and designing the needed repairs for the PRT guideway. The estimated cost of this phase is $34.3 million.

-WVU-

pk/05/20/14

CONTACT: Clement Solomon, Interim Director of Transportation & Parking
304-293-5502, Clement.Solomon@mail.wvu.edu

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