HDR Selected to Design L.A. Metro BRT Corridor

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) selected HDR to provide the final design of the North Hollywood to Pasadena bus rapid transit (BRT) corridor project. 

The BRT project will provide faster and more reliable service to meet the corridor’s growth by linking Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena. 

Key destinations include the North Hollywood Arts District, Burbank Media District, Downtown Burbank, Glendale Galleria, Americana at Brand, Eagle Rock Plaza, Old Pasadena, and Pasadena City College.

Benefits of Metro’s New BRT Corridor

The new BRT is expected to result in travel time savings of 34% to 44% over existing transit services. 

The corridor includes 22 new stations over its 19 miles, and buses will use dedicated lanes on most of the route. New charging equipment at each end of the line will serve the system’s electric buses. 

“The North Hollywood to Pasadena Transit Corridor will significantly reduce travel times for riders on this corridor, improving access to jobs, healthcare and more,” said HDR Principal Engineer Mark Christoffels, who is leading the firm’s work. “It’s great to work on projects that make such a tangible contribution to people’s everyday lives.”

HDR’s Work

HDR will provide a variety of design services, including civil and roadway, station, traffic, and more. 

The project is being delivered via the construction manager/general contractor approach. Working with the contractors, HDR has dedicated teams to each jurisdiction to accelerate progress in each section and avoid unnecessary delays. 

“Designing a multi-jurisdictional corridor isn’t something every team can take on, and I’m proud that HDR was chosen for this complex project,” said HDR Global Transit Director Matt Tucker. “This BRT will provide better transit options to busy neighborhoods in need of improved mobility options, and I’m looking forward to seeing the new service in operation a few years from now.” 

Construction on the corridor is expected to begin in 2025, with revenue service scheduled for 2027.