L.A. Metro has issued a Request for Proposals seeking up to two private sector proposers for a pre-development agreement (PDA) for planning and design of Sepulveda transit corridor project, connecting San Fernando Valley to the Westside, and Los Angeles International Airport.
The Sepulveda project will receive a USD 9.5 billion 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.
The PDA would enable early contractor involvement in the project, allowing for innovations in design, construction approach and operations. A private project developer would participate in defining and designing the project concept together with the agency with input from community stakeholders. Private project developer teams that are awarded a PDA would provide design and engineering to support development of the project, constructability reviews and cost estimates. This information would also be included in the project’s official environmental review process, which is expected to begin in 2020.
The contractors will have to develop various project concepts involving a range of possible transit modes, some of which may involve new approaches and innovations for Metro staff, the Metro Board of Directors, and the public to consider.
After selection and final engineering of the preferred project alternative by the Metro Board, Metro would have the opportunity to invite the successful developer team to submit an offer to deliver the project at an agreed price and schedule, likely through a public-private partnership. Metro would also always retain the option to pursue a different project development and delivery path at no additional obligation.
“Our goal is to deliver the best possible project to our customers, promote innovation in our approach and remain fiscally responsible as we pursue these types of public-private partnerships,” Metro CEO Philip Washington, said.
A feasibility study will be completed by the end of 2019, which will evaluate the potential transit alternatives for the project. By the summer of 2020, Metro anticipates selecting up to two contractors as PDA partners and identifying the alternatives to be studied in the environmental review. Those alternatives may be chosen from Metro’s feasibility study or the selected PDA partners. The PDA process and environmental review process will occur simultaneously without any impacts to required milestones for either.
Share on:
