Contractor wraps up utility relocation for LA Metro's Foothill Gold Line extension

W.A. Rasic Construction Co. Inc. has completed work under its $2.6 million utility relocation design-build contract for the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority's 12.3-mile light-rail project between Glendora and Montclair, California.

Awarded in fall 2017, the contract called for relocating or protecting a dozen strategically located sewer and water lines that cross the corridor where the light-rail line is being built.

The contract is the first of three to be awarded for the $1.5 billion Foothill Gold Line, which will be operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority when completed. The utility relocation work wrapped up two months ahead of schedule, said Habib Balian, the construction authority's chief executive officer, in a press release.

"We were very pleased with Rasic's work, which helps pave the way for the main design-build contractor to begin work as soon as they are ready," he said.

In November 2017, the authority started the procurement process for the alignment design-build contract, which will include all work on the Gold Line extension with the exception of parking. Proposals are due Sept. 12, with the contract expected to be awarded later this year.

Major construction is slated to begin in early 2020 and consist of two phases. First, the alignment contractor will rebuild and relocate the freight and Metrolink systems that operate in the middle of the rail corridor. Next, crews will build the light-rail system, which is expected to be completed in 2026.