LACMTA's board OKs $1.3 billion Crenshaw/LAX light-rail construction contract

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (LACMTA) board yesterday approved a $1.3 billion design/build contract to Walsh/Shea Corridor Constructors to build the Crenshaw/LAX light-rail project.

The 8.5-mile light-rail line will run between the Expo Line on Exposition Boulevard in Los Angeles and the Metro Green Line. The design/build contract will include both the Leimert Park and Hindry stations, LACMTA officials said in a press release.

Walsh/Shea is a joint venture between Walsh Construction and J.F. Shea Co. The joint venture was one of four firms that submitted proposals for the contract. Walsh/Shea received the highest technical score for the lowest price, LACMTA officials said.

The board also approved an additional $160 million in contingency funds for a total project budget of $2.058 billion, which includes the fixed guideway, Leimert Park and Hindry stations, new rail cars, a rail maintenance yard, real estate acquisition, the cost of planning and designing the line, and other construction costs.

Utility work is under way, with heavy construction scheduled to begin in spring 2014. Completion is expected by 2019.

The Crenshaw/LAX project will serve the Crenshaw Corridor, Inglewood, Westchester and the Los Angeles International Airports area.