Los Angeles/Pasadena Blue Line Rail Extension, USA

The Blue Line Rail Extension is located in Los Angeles and Pasadena, California. Work on the light system extension requires not only tracks, signalling, stations, cut-and cover tunnels and a maintenance facility, but also rolling stock. The light rail extension has been subject to various vicissitudes in terms of contract funding. This caused some delay in the construction work on the rail line and its attendant stations, signalling, etc.

The extension, as defined in state legislation, runs along the existing rail right of way from Los Angeles to Claremont. Phase One of the Project extends 13.7 miles from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, serving the communities of Los Angeles, South Pasadena and Pasadena. There will be six new stations in Los Angeles, one in South Pasadena and six in Pasadena. Phase Two of the project extends 24 miles east from Pasadena to Claremont through the ten communities along the way.

Light rail service will be provided by trains of up to three coupled cars operating on a conventional, double track, electrified line with 13 stations spaced between 0.75 and 2.2 miles apart. Station locations have been selected to maximise access for passengers arriving by bus, car, bicycle or on foot.

CONSTRUCTION DELAYS

Construction began in 1994 on the 13.6 mile extension of the Blue Line. It was originally projected to open in May 2001, but a lack of funding and other complications postponed the opening of this rail line and construction was suspended. In 1998, the Pasadena Blue Line Construction Authority, independent from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, was formed to oversee the completion of the line. Ground was re-broken in Spring 2000 and the line is due to open in July 2003. At that point, the operation and maintenance of the line will revert back to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

BUS VS RAIL INDEPENDENTLY ANALYSED

The Phase 1 project was 12% constructed and $286.9 million had already been spent by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority when the system was compared to an alternative system. An independent transportation analysis examined the cost of completing an all bus alternative to the proposed light rail system already under construction. The analysis indicated that it would cost $365 million more to complete the all bus alternative than finish the current light rail system under construction. The study also determined that it would cost 14% more per passenger mile to operate the exclusive bus alternative than to operate the current light rail system ($37 million per year versus $42 million per year).

BUDGET

The budget to complete Phase 1 is $438.8 million, of which $369 million is committed from previous rail construction funds. The remaining portion will be funded by joint development revenue and parking revenue. The Pasadena Blue Line Authority is also seeking federal and state funding opportunities.

COMPLETION

The Pasadena Blue Line Authority has suggested 1 July 2003 as the proposed opening date for Phase 1. The Board has adopted a design/build procurement strategy for completion of Phase 1 of the project and estimates that 12 to 15 months in project delay cost can be saved.

KIEWIT/WASHINGTON GROUP

The Kiewit/Washington Group joint venture was awarded a $260 million contract to design and build the Los Angeles to Pasadena Metro Blue Line light rail project. This will involve the construction of 13.7 miles of double track, two cut-and-cover tunnels, 13 stations and a maintenance facility at Union Station. The joint venture of Kiewit Pacific (60%) and the Washington Group (40%) was awarded the contract in October 2000. The group scored the maximum 100 points on both the price and technical ranking. Washington Group's Infrastructure Services Division is teamed with Parson Transportation Group as the principal design subcontractor.