LACMTA staff recommends design-build contractor for Regional Connector

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) staff has recommended a $927.2-million design/build contract be awarded to Regional Connector Constructors (a Joint Venture between Skanska USA Civil West California District, Inc., and Traylor Bros. Inc.) to build the Regional Connector project.

 

The 1.9-mile underground rail line, expected to be complete in 2020, will connect the Gold Line to the Blue and Expo lines and allow trains to travel directly from Azusa to Long Beach and from East Los Angeles to Santa Monica. LACMTA says this should speed trips through downtown and reduce the number of transfers for most riders.

The project is partially funded by Measure R, the half-cent sales tax increase approved by Los Angeles County voters in 2008.

The board of directors will consider the contract recommendation at their Construction Committee meeting April 17 and the full board is scheduled to consider the contract at its meeting on April 24.

After the contract is awarded, the Regional Connector will be the fourth rail project under construction, joining the Crenshaw/LAX Line, Expo Line Phase 2 and the Gold Line Foothill Extension. The Purple Line Extension contract is expected to be awarded this summer and it will be the fifth rail project in Los Angeles under construction because of Measure R. In addition, LACMTA is spending $1.2 billion to overhaul the Metro Blue Line, including the purchase of new light-rail vehicles.

 

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