USA: Los Angeles County MTA has appointed a joint venture of Arcadis and Mott MacDonald as construction management support services consultant for the East San Fernando Valley light rail project.
The contract announced by the AMM joint venture on January 17 and running to September 2029 includes the provision of administration, inspection, estimating and construction management services for the planned 10·7 km north-south line between Van Nuys/San Fernando and Van Nuys/MOL.
AMM has contracted 10 women, Latino and Black-owned businesses to perform over 30% of the work, surpassing the 28% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise requirement.
The line will have 11 stops, a parallel cycle route and a maintenance depot which will make use of photovoltaic power.
Utility relocation began at the end of 2022, and opening is envisaged for 2028.
Design options are being studied for a second phase which would extend the line by 4·0 km to Sylmar/San Fernando station on Metrolink’s Antelope Valley Line, adding three stops.
Macaria Flores, Los Angeles City Executive for Arcadis, said ‘35% of residents who live in the area are transit-dependent, more than double the rest of LA County. Nearly 20% of residents don’t own a car. The construction of this light rail will be transformative for the community and deliver much needed multi-modal transit options.’
Greg Steele, Global President of Mobility at Arcadis, said ‘globally, we are seeing that rail continues to be the transport mode of choice, and landmark projects such as the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project are key when it comes to stimulating economies, progressing the sustainability agenda, and driving social wellbeing and inclusion.’
