L.A. Metro issues RFP for light rail extension

The Los Angeles Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority (Construction Authority) issued the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Foothill Extension Phase 2A light rail alignment work.

The $450 million-plus design-build-finance project will involve final design, construction and financing of 11.5-miles of track, utilities, crossings and systems; six stations and multiple bridges; and a 25 acre-plus light rail maintenance facility. Phase 2A will extend the Metro Gold Line light rail line from its current terminus in East Pasadena, adding stations in five surrounding cities.

The Construction Authority will be entering into a public-private partnership with the winning bidder, who will finance the gaps between the Construction Authority's funding stream and the project's cost curve during the first several years of the project. This financing plan will afford project completion years ahead of the anticipated public funding stream.

The RFP was released to three prequalified firms, shortlisted through a competitive process earlier this year. The RFP includes more than 10,000 pages of updated engineering drawings and project information, including details of each station and the 11.5-mile corridor.

The shortlisted teams include: Foothill Transit Constructors (Kiewit Pacific Co. and Parsons Transportation Group Inc.); Shimmick Construction Co./URS Corp.; and Skanska USA Civil West California District/Balfour Beatty Rail Inc.

Proposals are due January 27, 2011 and an award is anticipated in April 2011.

The Phase 2A Alignment procurement is one of three procurements planned by the Construction Authority for completion of Phase 2A. The first contract was awarded in June 2010 to Skanska/AECOM for $18 million, to design and build a 584-linear foot bridge over the I-210 Freeway that will allow connection between the existing Sierra Madre Villa and future Arcadia stations.

A third procurement process will begin in late 2011 to select a team to design and construct parking facilities planned at the six Phase 2A stations.