Delaware River Port Authority, Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) Maintenance Shop and Office Improvements

Burns led the design of new workplace amenities and workshop facilities for the rapid transit system serving Philadelphia and New Jersey.

PATCO’s Lindenwold Shop drives performance of the PATCO system, ensuring vehicles are maintained and operating properly. To help PATCO workers stay well rested, trained and prepared, owner and operator Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) renovated the shop and the PATCO headquarters.

Redesign of the 32,000-square-foot facility created a modern, more energy-efficient and productive workplace. Improvements to the working environment boosted worker morale and productivity.

Burns led project management for the facility’s reconfiguration, retrofit and upgrade. Engineering services included:

• Mechanical
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Structural
• Communications
• Security

Burns evaluated the rail maintenance shop’s work area, service pits, turntables, embedded track, posted rail, track pedestals and pit drains for proposed repairs and rehabilitation.

Shop and headquarters design elements created more open floor plans, expanded the workplace and common areas, and added new shared welfare spaces such as kitchenettes and break rooms. Structural modifications included:

• Second-floor expansions over the open spaces
• Removal of bearing walls to provide more open locker rooms
• Relocation of air handling units onto rooftop-mounted steel dunnage

Burns was tasked with replacing mechanical and electrical equipment past its useful life with more energy-efficient and functional alternatives. Mechanical designs included upgrading heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems as well as plumbing systems and fixtures. Workplace enhancements included communications, audio-visual and IT service modifications.

Upgrades included the following sustainability enhancements:

• Addition of daylighting through new windows at the second floor
• Replacement of existing RTUs with new RTUs featuring energy recovery
• Conversion of electric duct heaters (EDHs) to Variable Air Volume (VAV) boxes with reheat
• Installation of occupancy sensors within rooms to conserve power
• Changing all lighting to LED fixtures with new lighting controls
• Installation of energy metering local to the building

As a critical factor in the success of the project, Burns prepared a detailed construction staging and phasing strategy to accommodate PATCO’s need for continuous operations.

Burns is a long-time solutions provider for DRPA/PATCO railway systems and facilities.