L.A. Metro clears 5 teams to develop high-speed, high-capacity transit line

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) cleared five teams to compete for the opportunity to help develop the agency’s massive Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project, an ambitious mega-project that will build a high-speed, high-capacity transit line directly connecting the San Fernando Valley and the Westside, and ultimately LAX.

The following developer teams have submitted for and met Metro’s initial qualifications for submitting a Predevelopment Agreement (PDA) proposal to assist with project planning and design, with the potential opportunity to enter into an Implementation Agreement for the project after completion of the PDA work:

• ACS Infrastructure Development
• LA SkyRail Express
• Sepulveda Transit Corridor Partners (Bechtel)
• Sepulveda Transit Corridor Partners (Fengate)
• Tutor Perini, Parsons & Plenary

The eligibility of five major potential project partner teams completes the first phase of Metro’s Request for Proposals process and is a strong demonstration of the market interest to get in on the ground floor and help develop the project.

A PDA with one or more of these firms would enable early contractor involvement in the project, allowing for innovations in design, construction approach, financing, and operating approach. A private project developer would participate in defining and designing the project concept together with Metro and community stakeholders. Up to two private project developer teams will be awarded a PDA to provide design and engineering to support development of the project, constructability reviews, and cost estimates.

Once project development is complete, the remaining private project developer will then have an opportunity to offer to build, operate, and maintain the line, potentially accelerating construction, improving project performance and mitigating key project challenges.

“Metro continues to push the envelope in the pursuit of public/private partnerships for projects of regional and national significance,” said Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington. “We’re pursuing this innovative project delivery approach because it can be mutually beneficial in sharing critically needed skills, assets, risks, and rewards to potentially deliver this project sooner for L.A. County taxpayers.”

The Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project is funded in part by Measure M, the transportation sales tax approved by Los Angeles County voters in 2016. The total project will receive $9.5 billion in funding from Measure M and other local, state, and federal sources. The first phase of the transit line between the Valley and the Westside is scheduled to open in 2033, and the second phase to LAX is scheduled to open in 2057 under the current Measure M schedule. However, staff is working aggressively to accelerate the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project schedule.