Valencia County Transit Facility

Welcome to the project page for the Valencia County Transit Facility (VCTF), the future home of Rio Metro’s bus services in Valencia County located near the intersection of NM 6 and 47 in the Village of Los Lunas. Check in here each month for an update on the project’s progress.

Latest Update (April 2023)

Construction of the Valencia County Transit Facility is well underway. Since dirt was first turned at the groundbreaking ceremony in December, construction has focused on the site infrastructure hidden from view: underground stormwater drains; water, sewer, and gas lines; and electrical and communications conduit. However, after the administration building foundation was poured in March, the building structure is taking shape. In the next two months, work will continue on the exterior of the building (roofing, windows, etc.), while electricians, plumbers and HVAC technicians focus on the wiring, piping and ducts that run within the walls and ceiling.

Rio Metro is still on schedule to relocate to the facility in November. In the meantime, Rio Metro is working closely with its construction manager, Bohannan-Huston, Inc., and the general contractor, Weil Construction, to deliver the project on time and on budget.

Project Documents

  • Site Plan (PDF)
  • Location Map (see below)
  • Administration Building Rendering (see below)
Valencia County Transit Facility Construction

Administrative Building Rendering - Click Image to Expand

Valencia Co Transit Facility Admin Building Rendering

VCTF Location Map - Click Image to Expand

Valencia Co Transit Facility Location Map

Project Timeline

  • June 2019: Rio Metro submits 5339 Bus and Bus Facilities grant application to FTA
  • November 2019: FTA awards $6 million grant to Rio Metro for Phase 1 design and construction
  • July 2020: FTA approves Rio Metro’s categorical exclusion (environmental) document
  • September 2020: Rio Metro’s environmental consultant, Parametrix, completes required archaeological investigation
  • October 2020: Rio Metro begins design with consultants Bohannan-Huston and Studio Southwest Architects
  • August 2022: Rio Metro completes design and issues request for proposals
  • October 2022: Rio Metro reviews proposals and awards $8.8 million contract to Weil Construction, Inc.
  • December 2022: Contractor begins construction   
  • November 2023: Construction complete. Staff and vehicles relocate to VCTF.

Project Background

In 2010, Rio Metro accepted responsibility for the transit services previously operated by the Village of Los Lunas and the City of Belen. As part of this transition, the Village leased office space to Rio Metro at the Los Lunas Transportation Center (LLTC) to house administration staff, and also leased space at the Village’s Fleet Maintenance Yard for Rio Metro’s buses and minivans. Today, the LLTC and the yard are at capacity, and the Village would like to use the space Rio Metro is currently leasing to better serve its growing community.

This arrangement is also no longer ideal for Rio Metro. Because the yard is at capacity, Rio Metro cannot increase its fleet size in order to provide additional service. Also, each bus driver loses time traveling between the LLTC and the yard at the beginning and end of their shifts—time that could otherwise be spent transporting residents.

In response to these needs, Rio Metro applied for and was awarded a $6 million grant in 2019 from FTA’s highly competitive Section 5339(b) Bus and Bus Facilities program to design and construct Phase 1 of the VCTF in Los Lunas. Phase 1 will include a LEED-certified administration building; staff, visitor and bus parking areas; utilities; drainage; landscaping; fencing and gates; security cameras and access controls. Pending future funding, Phase 2 will feature a maintenance building, expanded bus parking, bus wash, and fuel island.  

The project will be located at the intersection of NM 47 and Lambros Loop, on a vacant, 8-acre parcel owned by NMDOT and leased to Rio Metro.

Alternate Format

  1. To request this information in an alternate format (eg., Braille, large print, audio), please contact Customer Service at 1-866-795-7245 or click here to download the request form.