Skanska-Stacy Witbeck JV awarded $1.9 Billion new Light Rail Contract from Los Angeles Metro

Los Angeles, United States (Rail & Metro Today): A joint venture of Skanska USA Civil and Stacy and Witbeck Inc. has secured the US$1.9 billion main construction contract for the Metro East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project, a major new rail development planned entirely within Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has awarded the contract to the Stockholm-based Skanska and Alameda-based Stacy and Witbeck joint venture, which is already undertaking pre-construction activities for the project.

The latest award brings the total value of contracts held by the joint venture for the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail project to approximately US$2.43 billion. The partners announced the contract award on August 14, with each company expected to receive approximately US$950 million from the main construction contract.

6.7-Mile Light Rail Line to Connect Van Nuys and Pacoima

The East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit line will extend for approximately 6.7 miles, connecting the Van Nuys Metrolink Station with Pacoima.

The at-grade light rail corridor will run north along Van Nuys Boulevard, serving the communities of Van Nuys, Panorama City, Arleta and Pacoima.

The project will include 11 new station platforms, providing an important new public transport connection across some of the San Fernando Valley's busiest urban areas. It will also feature a 26-acre maintenance and storage yard at the northeastern edge of Van Nuys, which will support the operation and maintenance of up to 33 trains on the corridor.

Construction of the project began last month and is currently expected to be completed by the end of 2031.

James Bailey, Executive Vice President of Skanska USA Civil's West Coast operations, said, “The East San Fernando Valley Light Rail project is an investment in mobility for the region.”

The project is expected to provide an additional high-capacity public transportation option for residents and commuters while improving connectivity within the San Fernando Valley and the wider Los Angeles transport network.

Major Infrastructure Project for the San Fernando Valley

The new East San Fernando Valley line represents the first Metro rail project being developed entirely within the San Fernando Valley, making it a significant expansion of Los Angeles County's growing urban rail infrastructure.

The joint venture brings significant experience in delivering major transit infrastructure projects in the Los Angeles region.

Skanska recently completed the first 3.9-mile, US$3.5 billion segment of Metro's D Line extension, running beneath Wilshire Boulevard from Western Avenue in Koreatown to La Cienega Boulevard in Beverly Hills.

Stacy and Witbeck has also previously contributed to transportation infrastructure in the San Fernando Valley as part of the contractor team involved in the development of the Metro G Line, formerly known as the Orange Line bus rapid transit system, which opened in 2005.

Focus on Construction and Utility Coordination

With main-phase construction now advancing, the project team will focus on the complex task of delivering a light rail system through active urban corridors.

Eric Meisgeir, Project Manager for Stacy Witbeck, said, “Delivering the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail requires getting every detail right, from utility coordination through revenue service, across some of the most active urban corridors in Los Angeles.”

The extensive scope will require coordination of civil works, utility relocation, track and systems installation, station construction and the development of the maintenance facility.

Once operational, the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail line is expected to serve as an important new transport spine for the communities along Van Nuys Boulevard. The project is also expected to support regional mobility objectives by encouraging greater use of public transport and reducing dependence on private vehicles.

With construction targeted for completion by 2031, the US$1.9 billion main construction contract marks a major step towards the delivery of one of Los Angeles Metro's most significant new light rail projects.