PRTC Bus Maintenance & Storage Facility

The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission, located in Virginia about 25 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., provides commuter bus service along the I-95 and I-66 corridors and local bus service in Prince William County. Wendel was retained to review and verify a previous conceptual design, perform preliminary engineering, obtain site plans and permit approvals, and advance the project through final design and construction. PRTC decided early on to procure the project through a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) model. Wendel provided construction phase services, post-construction services, and full CMAR leadership from procurement through project completion.

As the design progressed, Wendel refined the building and site layout through a coordinated value engineering process that reduced construction costs while preserving functionality and long-term performance. The team developed a new lighting approach for the bus storage area, reconfigured the service bays to improve workflow and safety, and completed a traffic impact study to ensure the facility would not create operational challenges on nearby roadways. Battery electric bus charging infrastructure was incorporated to support future fleet transitions.

Commissioning and Retro Commissioning

Wendel provided Fundamental Commissioning and retro-commissioning for the three buildings on the site, verifying the complete installation, integration, and performance of all major systems. The HVAC scope included water-source heat pumps, boilers, an evaporative cooler, pumps, in-floor radiant heating, heat-recovery air handlers, make-up air units, carbon monoxide hose reels, and a full suite of terminal equipment, all integrated through the campus-wide building management system. Plumbing systems were verified through the commissioning of water heaters and circulation pumps. Fire protection systems were tested for proper operation and readiness. Electrical systems were commissioned, including lighting and lighting controls, emergency generators, and transfer equipment. The specialized process equipment central to bus maintenance operations was also commissioned, including the lube oil system, fueling system, vehicle wash systems, and vehicle lifts.