València Subway

TKE modernizes escalators at Rosas station.

TK Elevator (TKE) was asked to replace two escalators with a 7.15-m-high drop at the Rosas subway station in València, Spain, installing escalators of similar dimensions in the same shaft, so as not to touch the structural supports of the station. The great challenges of the escalator replacement were the technical difficulty, as there were no hanging points, and the deadline: The stairs had to be replaced in two weeks while the station remained open to the public. These stairs were replaced one-to-one, always leaving an upward escalator in service, as well as an accessible elevator.

Given that it was not possible to place gantries or other means of elevation, we considered the possibility of using cranes that would be installed outside the station on the side opposite the elevator. The main problem with relying on this option was the low height for the work of the cranes and disassembly and assembly of the escalators. There was limited surface area for the cranes to withdraw from the façade and gain the proper angle to be able to work at a low height. Additionally, the replacement of both escalators had to be done from the same side, since the opposite-side elevator made it impossible to do otherwise. 

There was 2.8 m of free height for the passage of cranes.

This forced us to look for a different type of crane on the market, but, at first glance, there was no crane that could lift 4 mT a distance of 12 m that could also work below 3 m. We investigated technical documentation of cranes for a model that met these characteristics, and we found the PALFINGER PK-85000 self-loading crane. Next, we located a company that had this equipment. The two old escalators were removed and the new ones were delivered partly through the street entrance/exit and partly on the platform by railway. Glass was removed from some windows to accommodate the arms of the cranes. Once the old escalators were removed and for six days while the work lasted, a permanent metal protection was installed to prevent entry, falls or thrown objects.

For four days, Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV) and Manises City Council closed Las Rosas Street between Cueva Santa and Calle Oeste. As for the disassembly/assembly procedure, it is shown in the following simulation.

The upper sections of both stairways were unloaded through the street entrance/exit of the station. Closures were made as needed to carry out the work properly without risk to subway users. In the access area from the street, a winch and a shutter were dismantled for two weeks. For the entry/exit sections, we installed a fixed enclosure, leaving access on one side for passengers (elevator side) and another (opposite side elevator) for work. The sections of the escalator that left by platform were loaded in draisines and taken to the facilities of Metro Valencia. 

The project’s success was the result of the teamwork of various parties, including architect Alberto Pinel Julián of Maia Consulting, designer Maria Carvajal of Maia Consulting, transportation — systems contractor Transportes Ornia — Grúas Virosque and equipment manufacturer TKE North (TK Elevator). Building owner Metropolitan Transports of València selected Maia Consulting to serve as consultants. Other project participants were Construcciones HPC, Campos Glass Works, Vibal Metal Works, Pl28 Engineering and Ideltec Components.

Key Project Players 

Aftersales Manager José Antonio Cabrejas

Cabrejas is an industrial engineer from the Universidad Politécnica de València. He joined the company in 2001 as a service engineer and later became branch manager of the South Valencia area. Currently he is zone manager for aftersales in the Valencia region.

Project Manager Luis Miguel Garcia Cuenca

Cuenca has more than 18 years of experience in project management and installation in the vertical-transportation sector. A certified project management professional, he has specialized in the execution of projects for large institutional clients both in Spain and internationally. Cuenca holds an executive MBA.

Person in Charge of Assembly Antonio Lozano Tendero

In his more than 22 years with the company, Tendero has installed elevators and escalators internationally and domestically for projects including TWIN elevators in Valencia and escalators in various shopping centers. He is a certified master project manager.

Project Manager TK Escalator Norte Lucía Escudero Martínez Escudero is a mining engineer from the University of Oviedo. She joined TK Elevator Norte in 2019 and has been part of the Operations department, taking care of escalator projects within Europe.