L.A. Metro Advances Four Unsolicited Proposals That Could Accelerate Major Measure M Projects

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has announced that four unsolicited proposals that could accelerate two mega projects included in Metro’s Measure M transportation ballot measure have advanced from Phase I to Phase II analysis. Two of the proposals are for the West Santa Ana Branch Transit Corridor and two are for the Sepulveda Pass Transit Corridor. Each proposal suggests a different approach to bringing innovation, acceleration, cost savings and/or other benefits to the respective projects, compared with Metro’s planned project delivery method.

“This is a major step for L.A. County, as we work on building out our transportation infrastructure for ourselves and for future generations,” said Metro Board Chair John Fasana. “P3s offer the opportunity to accelerate some of these projects, enabling us to enjoy transportation benefits sooner.”

The four proposals have passed the initial conceptual review — as outlined in Metro’s new unsolicited proposal policy — and will move on to the second phase in the process: a more detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis.

The two proposals for the West Santa Ana Branch Transit Corridor moving forward in the process are from Skanska (Skanska USA Civil West) and Kiewit (Kiewit Infrastructure West Co.). Two others are for the Sepulveda Pass Transit Corridor. They are from Parsons (Parsons Transportation Group, Inc.) and Cintra (Cintra US Services LLC, an affiliate of Cintra Global Ltd.).

The review team recommended that Metro decline further review of two proposals: one for the West Santa Ana project from ACS/Dragados (ACS Infrastructure Development, Inc./Dragados USA. Inc.) and one for the Sepulveda Pass project from Sepulveda Corridor Development Partners, led by HDR Engineering, Inc.

Following a detailed analysis of the Phase II proposals, Metro staff will decide whether to issue requests for proposals to the industry.

“Our call for innovation is paying,” said Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington. “And the private sector is responding with notable creativity that also is in keeping with Metro goals and long-term plans. We’re excited by the proposed ideas and energized by the potential benefits to help us improve mobility across L.A. County.”

In February 2016, Metro hosted the agency’s first major industry forum, Transformation Through Transportation. That’s when Metro officials invited the private sector to bring the agency their ideas for helping Metro deliver projects sooner than they are scheduled.

Throughout the year, Metro has been accepting unsolicited proposals on various levels and for different ideas. These are the first mega projects to advance to Phase II analysis.