Skanska-Stacy Witbeck JV snaps up $2.4bn Los Angeles light rail contract

Skanska, a leading global construction and development firm, has announced that its joint venture with Stacy Witbeck has been awarded an additional contract by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) for the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project in Van Nuys, CA. 

The project scope includes the construction of a 10.8km, at-grade (street-level) light rail along Van Nuys Boulevard, a 26-acre Rail and Maintenance Facility, 11 new stations including shade structures and utility relocations and improvements. 

Work on the project began in July and is expected to be completed in December 2031.

Along with preconstruction and early-works, the total contract value for the project is $2.43 billion, said Skanska in a statement.

The East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project is designed to expand transit access and strengthen connections along the Van Nuys Boulevard corridor. 

The addition of new stations and connections to existing services will provide a more reliable way for people to get to work, school and other regional destinations. This added continuity to the broader Los Angeles County rail system serves the communities of Panorama City, Arleta and Pacoima while supporting long-term mobility efforts, it stated. 

This project is a Progressive Design-Build which integrated construction and design teams early in the development process. This allowed for early engagement with Metro and stakeholders to validate designs, address third-party constraints and refine construction approaches before full build-out which will help manage risk, cost and schedule during upcoming construction.  

On the big win, James Bailey, Executive Vice President of Skanska USA Civil’s West Coast operations, said the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail project is an investment in mobility for the region.

"The Progressive Design-Build delivery method enabled us to collaborate closely with LA Metro from day one, bringing designers, builders, stakeholders, and community members together to make informed decisions and help shape a light rail system that will serve the East San Fernando Valley for generations to come," he noted.

Eric Meisgeier, project manager for Stacy Witbeck, said: "Delivering the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail requires getting every detail right, from utility coordination through revenue service, across some of the most active urban corridors in Los Angeles."

"We will construct this project with the same focus on the work and respect for the community to deliver a project the San Fernando Valley can be proud of," he added.