Building A People Mover

One of the coolest jobs we've built this year was the Automatic People Mover for the new airport expansion at Sacramento International Airport.  Our crews have been installing the electric track, insanely expensive equipment and associated components of the tram system.  We've never done a job like this before, but we had a top notch crew who quickly figured out how to build this productively. 

Thursday was the big day to set the rail cars.  These cars cost $4,000,000 each.  They will take you on a 50 second ride from the main terminal hub out to the new Terminal B.  The airport made a big media event out of the day, so there were camera crews and reporters watching us the whole time.  Our crew didn't sweat it, and the guys seamlessly rigged, hoisted and set the cars on the new tracks. 

When we were first awarded this job, there were several who doubted that things would go this smoothly.  For one thing, our project was the connection between the main hub, being built by one construction team, and Terminal B, being built by a separate construction team. Coordinating with each side required a lot of patience and persistence.  Additionally, the electrical contractor building the main hub is union and we are non-union - so many thought our project would have a series of mishaps and labor strife caused by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW - the electrical union) because they didn't want to work side by side with a non-union contractor.  We assured the airport and our customer, Bombardier (the manufacturer of the People Mover), that they would have no problems from us, and we started our project.

We have heard nothing but compliments since we began work.  Superintendents from the other projects repeatedly complimented the work our guys performed, inspectors made the other electrical contractors replace some of their work and "make it look like Royal's".  Our customer has thanked us time and time again for delivering their project on time, despite many obstacles.  And the Bombardier crew who helps set rail cars on projects all over the world, told us that Thursday's work was the "smoothest this has gone on any project so far".  I couldn't be more proud of our entire project team. 

I'm also especially proud of my brother, who did an excellent job as a 2nd year electrical apprentice on this project.  I am so happy that he was able to be a part of such a unique and exciting build.