Recognizing the increasing demand for goods movement, the Union Pacific Railroad sought to modernize and increase their lift and storage capacity at their existing Mesquite Intermodal and Automotive Facility along the Mineola Subdivision. Wilson & Company was the prime design firm as part of the Ames Construction Design-Build Team. Wilson & Company was responsible for survey, permitting, civil/track design, structural design, electrical high mast lighting design, right-of-way acquisition support, as-built drawings, geographic information system (GIS), and management of the geotechnical investigation.

Wilson & Company designed approximately 2.5 miles of mainline tracks leading to the facility and the extension of seven automotive unloading tracks, along with planning and coordinating the design effort for three types of retaining walls: cast-in-place concrete, soil nail walls, and reinforced earth walls.

The expansion project presented some unique features and challenges. Close coordination and constant communication between the design-build team, Union Pacific Railroad, their hired sub-consultants, and utility companies was imperative for project success. In addition, multiple at-grade road crossings were modified and upgraded for the newly designed and constructed tracks. Wilson & Company coordinated with the City of Dallas and Mesquite to permit the construction associated with these crossings.