Saunders-Stantec team completes the Glenwood Maintenance Facility expansion for Roaring Fork Transportation Authority

The design-build team of Stantec, a global leader in architecture and sustainable design, and Saunders Construction recently completed work on the US$68 million Glenwood Springs Maintenance Facility (GMF) for the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA). Together, the firms led the design-build services including architecture; industrial architecture; sustainable design; interior design; lighting design; fueling design (diesel, CNG, and hydrogen ready); mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering; and project management/construction (Saunders).

This expanded GMF now provides indoor heated storage for 60 buses and a 9,000-square-foot second level operations space with a dispatch suite, reception area for visitors, drivers’ room, office space, and locker rooms. It also includes an additional fuel and wash lane to their existing facility. The design of the facility reflects a thoughtful integration of functionality, sustainability, and user experience through natural lighting and climate-controlled spaces, while blending the facility into the colors of the surrounding mountains. The facility includes four battery electric bus charging stations and was designed to accommodate expansion to hydrogen fuel cell electric buses. 

Necessary site improvements were carefully designed and built to address the mountainous terrain and operational needs of the transit system. The project included the construction of substantial site retaining walls to stabilize steep topography and create level surfaces for bus circulation and parking. Landscaping was thoughtfully designed to blend the facility into its natural surroundings, enhance visual appeal, and support environmental sustainability goals.

Addressing operational deficiencies, the expanded facility accommodates public transportation needs, including growth in population and ridership demand, while contributing to the RFTA’s transition to zero-emission buses. Previously, buses were stored outdoors, resulting in additional operational costs, especially during the winter months, and the operational support spaces were too small to accommodate RFTA’s fleet growth and the increased number of staff.

Serving Colorado’s transit needs 
RFTA is the second-largest transit agency in Colorado and the largest rural transit system in the United States. Its regional network spans approximately 70 miles, serving communities from Aspen to Rifle. This project supports transit needs in Glenwood Springs and the greater Roaring Fork and Colorado River Valley in western Colorado. The facility will provide RFTA with the capacity to expand bus rapid transit (BRT) and regional services along the I-70 corridor, complementing the existing VelociRFTA BRT service between Glenwood Springs and Aspen.

“The GMF expansion has been a critical project for the growing population of Pitkin and Garfield counties and the surrounding areas,” said Merlin Maley, senior principal for Stantec. “We are excited to see its doors open to the public and improve the reliability and efficiency of RFTA’s operations, while also reducing fossil fuel emissions.”

A leader in transit design
Stantec is ranked as a top 10 design firm by Architectural Record and Engineering News-Record and ranked as the No. 1 architecture/engineering firm by Building Design + Construction for 13 consecutive years. The firm’s expansive team of civic and transit architects and engineers focuses on designing exceptional places and facilities that improve people’s lives and work environments.

Learn more about Stantec’s expertise in delivering safe, efficient, and affordable transit.

About Stantec
Stantec empowers clients, people, and communities to rise to the world’s greatest challenges at a time when the world faces more unprecedented concerns than ever before.   

We are a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. ​Our professionals deliver the expertise, technology, and innovation communities need to manage aging infrastructure, demographic and population changes, the energy transition, and more. ​

Today’s communities transcend geographic borders. At Stantec, community means everyone with an interest in the work that we do—from our project teams and industry colleagues to our clients and the people our work impacts. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure.  ​

We are designers, engineers, scientists, project managers, and strategic advisors. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible.​

Stantec trades on the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol STN.

About Saunders
Saunders serves the commercial building industry as a full-service general contractor, design-builder and construction manager. A leader in the Colorado construction industry since its inception in 1972, Saunders’ experience includes a wide range of project types. Saunders is one of the region’s largest general contractors and is the recipient of more than 100 industry awards for its construction excellence, employee achievements and community contributions. In addition, Saunders is a member of the Citadel Group – an alliance of seven regional construction-related companies with operations in 19 cities. For additional information, please visit www.saundersinc.com. 

Media Contacts

Shannon McCarthy
Stantec Media Relations
Ph: (519) 574-7230
shannon.mccarthy@stantec.com

Teena Bergstrand
Saunders Marketing Strategies and Communications
(303) 699-9000
t.bergstrand@saundersinc.com