The Exposition Construction Authority (ECA) awarded a $542 million contract for the design and construction of phase 2 of Los Angeles Metro's Expo Corridor light rail to the joint venture of Skanska/Rados, with Parsons Brinckerhoff designing the project on behalf of the design-build team.

The first phase of the Expo Line, which extends 8.5 miles from downtown Los Angeles to Culver City, includes 10 stations. Phase I is about 90 percent complete and expected to begin operation in 2012.

Phase 2 extends the line 6.6 miles from Culver City to Santa Monica and includes seven stations. It is expected to open in 2015. The extension Pre-construction work and utility work for phase 2 is expected to begin later this year.

Completion of the 14-mile Expo Line will enable travel from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica in approximately 46 minutes, even in rush hour, and will provide access to destinations such as the University of Southern California, Exposition Park, the Crenshaw District and West Los Angeles.

By 2030, an estimated 64,000 passengers are expected to ride the line each day, which would make it one of the most heavily used light rail lines in the country.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is providing funding for the $1.5 billion project, which is being designed and built by the ECA. Metro will own and operate the line once it is complete.