The Daily Dig
A Skanska-Stacy Witbeck joint venture has broken ground on the major construction phase of the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project in Los Angeles. The line will connect San Fernando Valley residents to the Metro transit network.
The ceremony was held at Van Nuys Civic Center. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), civic leaders, and community members turned out to mark the start of major construction.
Track and Field
The $2.43 billion contract covers a light rail line running 6.7 miles at street level along Van Nuys Boulevard.
Along the route, riders will get 11 new stations, each with shade structures.
Rounding out the scope are a rail and maintenance facility covering 26 acres, as well as utility relocations and improvements.
Long Haul
Construction is scheduled for completion in early 2032, so the JV will be on Van Nuys Boulevard for a good while.
James Bailey, executive vice president of Skanska USA Civil’s West Coast Operations, said the ceremonial shovels “represent the work our team will put in over the next six years to build a light rail that connects the communities along Van Nuys Boulevard.”
Once the line is running, trains are expected every 7 to 10 minutes during peak hours.
Old Friends, New Rails
This partnership already has some miles on it. Skanska and Stacy Witbeck have been joint venture partners on 5 infrastructure and rail projects across Southern California, including the Sixth Street Viaduct Replacement Project in downtown Los Angeles.
Stacy Witbeck President Clayton Gilliland said they’re “proud to help build infrastructure that will connect people and serve this community for decades to come.”
Homegrown Hard Hats
The JV also runs the San Fernando Transit Constructors Careers Academy. The program offers professional development courses for people living in and around the project footprint who are interested in construction careers.
Snapshot:
Project: East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project
Contractor: Skanska-Stacy Witbeck joint venture
Transit Agency: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)
Location: Van Nuys Boulevard, East San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, CA
Sector: Transit, light rail
Contract Value: $2.43 billion
Alignment: 6.7 miles at street level
Stations: 11, with shade structures
Maintenance Facility: Rail and maintenance facility, 26 acres
Additional Scope: Utility relocations and improvements
Service Frequency: Every 7 to 10 minutes at peak hours
Status: Major construction phase underway
Groundbreaking Site: Van Nuys Civic Center
Completion: Early 2032
Workforce Program: San Fernando Transit Constructors Careers Academy
JV History: Partners on 5 Southern California infrastructure and rail projects, including the Sixth Street Viaduct Replacement
TheJobWalk Thoughts
Utility relocation is in this contract, and on a line running at street level down Van Nuys Boulevard, that work typically drives the early schedule. Dry utility and traffic control subs are likely among the first trades needed. Station and maintenance facility trades should expect their windows to open later.
With construction running into early 2032, buyout on a job this size usually comes in waves. That gives subs and suppliers on later packages time to get in front of the JV. It also means any number priced today must survive years of market swings, so carry escalation honestly.
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