Before opening the station at the old Metrocenter Mall next year, Valley Metro trains need to pass more than a dozen system integration tests, according to Juliana Vasquez-Keating, a public information officer with Valley Metro.
One of those tests includes packing the trains with 85 tons of water bottles. The 85 tons of water bottles will simulate the weight of a full train.
Water wasn’t the only option, but it was one that could be used for good.
“There’s an option of using something like sand, or you know something else with a high weight, but we said ‘Hey, let's use water because we can donate it after, we can use it as an opportunity to give back to the community," said Vasquez-Keating.
After testing, Valley Metro will be donating the water bottles to St. Mary’s Food Bank.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The photo caption has been updated to correct the date of the tests.
