Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

The $48.7 million contract is for final design and construction of parking facilities for the future Gold Line stations, as well as enhancements at and around the stations to improve intermodal connectivity for train riders arriving by bus, foot or on bicycles.

Bid requirements state that the independent contractor that would design and build the first phase of the project would hire the inspectors charged with testing the work on that segment. Critics, including a union that represents state engineers and some lawmakers, say that the arrangement could present a conflict of interest.

The contract has a maximum value of $20 million.

Five Design-Build teams qualified for a short list and will compete for contracts to build the backbone of the high-speed rail system in the Central Valley. MOU outlines a shared commitment to development of high-speed rail in Southern California while providing funding for local early investment projects that will improve rail service immediately.

Funded largely by $23 million in federal monies, including a $9 million FTA grant, the new facility will include dispatch, administrative and maintenance facilities.

Initial construction in the Central Valley will begin next fall, upon completion of the environmental process. With an estimated value of $1.5 billion to $2 billion, this large design-build construction contract will be placed before the end of 2012.

The decision is a departure from Metro's typical project delivery approach of Design-Bid-Build, but it works in favor of building a quality product in this economy and in such a way that is supportive of the local business community.

PB will serve as the lead engineering firm, providing civil, track work, structural, architectural, geotechnical, traffic and certain systems engineering design services.