O&M Facility Contracts Advance Projects Bringing Good-Paying Jobs
4/21/2026
As public transportation systems expand to serve wider areas, growing fleets need facilities for cleaning and repair. In Washington state, Sound Transit is moving forward with a contract to build a new south operations and maintenance (O&M) facility to support future light rail extensions to Tacoma and West Seattle, and to serve the entire region.
In Texas, Austin Transit Partnership selected an O&M facility design-build partner as it embarks on building the city’s first light rail network. These long-term projects provide skilled and high-paying jobs within their communities—throughout the project lifespan and well after completion.
Austin Transit Partnership O&M Facility Project to Support Thousands of Jobs
Austin’s first light rail system will consist of 15 stations across nearly 10 miles, running all-electric trains every 5-10 minutes throughout most of the day. The system’s O&M facility is critical to support daily operations and long-term system performance.
Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) Board approval of Kiewit Austin Partnership as the design-build contractor enables the start of pre-construction activities related to design, permitting, and preparing the site for construction. The project is expected to support thousands of jobs during design and construction.
Once operational, the facility will create hundreds of long-term careers, contributing to Austin’s growing workforce and economy. The facility will serve as a workplace for operators, maintenance crews, and support staff who will keep the system running safely and efficiently.
ATP CEO Greg Canally said, “We are setting this project up for long-term success while creating jobs and economic opportunity across Central Texas.”
Learn more about Austin’s light rail project.
Sound Transit O&M Facility to Employ 600+ When Completed
The Sound Transit Board approved a contract with Hoffman Construction Company of Washington to build a new O&M south facility that will employ more than 600 people when completed in 2032. The facility will maintain and store light rail vehicles—and provide living-wage jobs—in South King County, WA.
Currently, the existing light rail fleet is serviced at a central facility in Seattle. Additional O&M facilities are needed for system expansion. The scope of work covered under the $350 million south facility contract includes final design, site preparation, roadway improvements, long-lead material procurement and construction staging, and support facilities.
The contract is the agency’s first progressive design-build procurement—a contracting method widely used by other transit agencies. Through the process, the design-builder will work closely with the project owner on cost and schedule.
Sound Transit Deputy CEO and Chief Capital Delivery Officer Terri Mestas said, “This delivery method will help us better collaborate with our industry partners to manage risks, control costs and streamline decision-making.”