In 2008, BNSF announced plans to expand Orillia Auto Yard, its automobile transfer facility in Renton, Washington, approximately 20 miles south of Seattle. Hanson provided conceptual to final design for the proposed full-buildout and construction management services as part of the $1 million Phase 1 work. Improvements included upgrades to track infrastructure, lighting, electrical and fire control systems within the existing facility footprint.
The full auto yard expansion was put on hold until 2013, when Hanson provided a final design refresh that included updates to the detention pond layouts and track and parking subgrade. Hanson designed the expansion area to surface drain directly to new detention ponds, providing 7.45 acre-feet of stormwater storage capacity. The team also incorporated a 3D geosynthetic reinforcement system into the design to reduce the required volume of base course and strengthen the subgrade layer.
After another three-year hold by BNSF, Hanson designed additional parking within the existing fence line using a chip-seal pavement alternative, allowing BNSF to use an area previously unsuitable for parking. Deliverables included a temporary erosion and sediment control plan, grading and paving plans, a storm drainage plan, a land survey exhibit, a technical information report and an opinion of probable cost. Scope elements included demolition of an existing structure, pavement upgrades and installation of oil-water separators within the existing drainage system.
In 2017, BNSF tasked Hanson with providing an updated set of phased construction plans for the full buildout. Hanson’s services included geotechnical engineering; hydrology and hydraulics engineering for stormwater; railroad track and pavement design; lighting and electrical design; outside plant design for telecommunications infrastructure; utility design; auto yard stall layout and striping design; bidding support and construction contract management.
In 2018, Hanson provided seven months of on-site construction contract management for the $10 million, 18-acre expansion, yard followed by additional spot checks in early 2019 as the remaining punch-list items were resolved. Hanson provided daily and weekly reports to BNSF’s designated distribution list, and Hanson’s inspector led weekly progress meetings at the on-site field offices.
Hanson’s full-time construction contract management duties included monitoring contractor progress and compliance with project plans and specifications, and reviewing submittals, change orders and pay estimates. During Geoweb installation, Hanson coordinated review of soft spots in the subgrade and provided recommendations for soft-spot mitigation based on input from a subconsultant geotechnical engineer and the Presto Geosystems product representative.
The completed facility has nine unloading tracks; new electrical, lighting and telecom infrastructure; a new, crash-rated in gate; and an additional 1,500 new parking spaces, increasing the facility’s total capacity to nearly 3,150 parking spaces.
