sepulveda

City Council to Support Metro on Connecting Lines for Valley-to-Westside Transit

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 20:26:41 GMT

At the City Council meeting on Feb. 10, 2025, the council authorized a letter to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority in support of Alternatives 4 and 5, the inclusion of a direct, on-campus station at UCLA, and a seamless connection to the D Line at the Westwood/UCLA Station for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project.

From the staff report “Metro is currently in the process of conducting environmental review for the first phase of the project between the San Fernando Valley and the Westside. As part of the environmental review, Metro is studying five alternatives for the project ...

To read the full article click here

Sherman Oaks Street Fair

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 16:01:54 GMT

Sherman Oaks Street Fair

STCP Open House Event

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 14:30:32 GMT

Learn More About Alternatives 4 & 5 for the LA Metro Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project

Sepulveda Transit Corridor Partners Selects Stadler Rail Cars and Siemens Mobility Rail Signaling Technology for Proposed Fast, Green Line Connecting Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley & Westside

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 13:30:40 GMT

Sepulveda Transit Corridor Partners Selects Stadler Rail Cars and Siemens Mobility Rail Signaling Technology for Proposed Fast, Green Line Connecting Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley & Westside

LOS ANGELES - Sepulveda Transit Corridor Partners (STCP) has announced that it has selected two key partners to provide essential infrastructure components for its transit development options to ease congestion through the I-405/Sepulveda corridor between Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley and Westside. Stadler, a world-class passenger rail vehicle manufacturer, has been selected to design and build the state-of-the-art rail cars in STCP’s proposal. Siemens Mobility, a worldwide expert in intelligent transportation solutions, has been selected by STCP as the signaling partner for the driverless Metro systems that are a key element of the consortium’s sustainable and reliable transit proposal.

STCP comprises Meridiam, Bechtel, and American Triple I. Meridiam is a leading sustainable infrastructure investor and asset manager, with a highly successful track record of delivering some of the largest public private partnerships in the US and globally. Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction and project management partner with expertise in delivering passenger rail systems. ATI is an infrastructure investor and asset manager which is involved in complex, large format infrastructure projects in the US. ATI is ethnic minority owned, managed and controlled.

STCP’S rapid-rail subway was conceived as a best-in-class technical and operational solution to deliver a reliable and sustainable transit alternative to the I-405 corridor in Los Angeles. STCP’s program reduces travel time from Ventura Boulevard to Westwood to 6.5 minutes, and to under 20 minutes from the Valley to the Westside, while easing congestion and contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. It also provides a single-seat ride, with minimum transfers, and increased user convenience with stations located next to work centers and multiple direct connections to major transit lines within Metro’s current and future transit system, including a stop in the heart of UCLA’s campus. The project is expected to spur new developments both in terms of affordable housing and commercial economic development.

“Our selection of Stadler and Siemens Mobility goes beyond our Buy America commitment. For a project with such profound impact, we wanted to make sure that we are assembling an infrastructure ‘Dream Team’ when it comes to operating swift and safe rail service that allows commuters to avoid the 405”, said Meridiam Americas CEO Nicolas Rubio, on behalf of the STCP partner group. “We are committed to a project that will make life better for Angelenos and visitors by easing congestion, reducing pollution, boosting commerce and improving connections between affordable homes and good jobs.”

“Bechtel is proud to participate in delivering valuable transit options for those traveling the Sepulveda corridor,” said Bechtel Enterprises President Mark Campbell. “We recognize the importance of connecting people and communities and look forward to putting our worldwide experience and innovation into practice for the people of Los Angeles.”

“Recognizing the critical role of the RSS partner plays a critical role in the successful delivery of a project like Sepulveda Transit Corridor in this project, Stadler and Siemens Mobility not only stood out to us because of their long-standing individual track records and their having already successfully partnered based on their individual achievements, but also based on their multiple joint successes together in various transit projects globally”, said ATI Managing Partner David J. Cibrian, on behalf of the STCP partner group. “We are proud and excited by this addition as our team takes another step towards making our technologically cutting-edge, time-efficient and well-connected transit solution, which has the potential to dramatically change the commute of millions of people, a reality for in the Sepulveda Corridor.”

“Stadler brings to this partnership more than 80 years of experience building the highest quality passenger trains,” says Martin Ritter, CEO, Stadler US, Inc. “We are excited to have been selected by STCP as their passenger rail vehicle partner. Stadler proposes a state-of-the-art, energy efficient and sustainable metro solution for the Sepulveda Corridor that will have a massive impact on how people move in LA.”

“We would like to thank STCP for selecting Siemens Mobility as a partner in this game-changing project. Together, we hope to bring the latest rail technologies to Los Angeles and develop a system that will transform the way LA commutes,” said Marc Buncher, CEO of Siemens Mobility North America, “We’re confident that our Siemens CBTC and GoA4 solutions will contribute to the increased availability and sustainability of public transit along the I-405 (Sepulveda) corridor between San Fernando Valley and Westside. Siemens Mobility’s experience with Stadler, RATP Dev and members of STCP in delivering automated metro lines will enhance this modern transit technology currently being developed for Angelenos by the STCP team.”

STCP’s rail options – Alternatives 4 and 5 of Metro’s Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project – are designed to reduce freeway and street congestion, air pollution and climate change-causing emissions. It is designed to create good-paying local construction jobs and long-term operations and maintenance jobs, increasing mobility and economic opportunity across the region.

Alternative 4 or 5 would be integrated with Metro’s current and future transit system, with direct connections to the D, E, G Lines (also known as the Purple, Expo and Orange Lines), Metrolink, Amtrak, multiple bus lines and bike lanes.

About Stadler

Stadler has been building trains for more than 80 years. It has a workforce of around 14,000 world-wide and in the US in various production and engineering locations as well as more than 80 service locations. The company is conscious of its social responsibility for sustainable mobility and therefore stands for innovative, sustainable, and durable quality products. The product range in the field of mainline railways and city transport includes high-speed trains, intercity trains, regional and suburban trains, metros, tramways and trams. Stadler also manufactures main-line locomotives, shunting locomotives and passenger carriages. It is the world’s leading manufacturer in the rack-and-pinion rail vehicle industry.

About Siemens

For more than 160 years, Siemens has been an integral provider of infrastructure, electrification, and transportation solutions in the United States. From the first light rail vehicles that were delivered to San Diego, California to the 30,000 rail crossings across America, Siemens Mobility has contributed to the power of connection, jobs, and investment in our American cities with eight manufacturing facilities, 4,500 employees, and more than 2,000 suppliers. Siemens Mobility’s rolling stock serves nearly half a billion riders annually, while more than 100,000 data points are remotely monitored on their rail infrastructure in America yearly, enabling seamless transportation solutions nationwide.

Daily Bruin (Opinion/Editorial): Together with Alternative 6, Alternative 5 presents opportunity for more efficient transit

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 01:26:57 GMT

After recognizing the benefits offered by Alternative 6, the Editorial Board also endorses Alternative 5 as a tangible solution for reduced transit times and more efficient travel.

Both alternatives would implement policies that feature a heavy rail and underground design. However, Alternative 5’s proposal is slightly different in terms of the travel frequency, ridership estimates, number of stations and alignment with the Metro E Line.

Alternative 5 is projected to run more trains by the hour with a travel frequency of 2.5 minutes. Meanwhile, Alternative 6 will run trains every four minutes. This higher frequency of train travel would provide Bruins with more flexibility and efficient travel.

To read the full article click here.

Daily Bruin: Metro hosts open house, presents Sepulveda Transit Corridor’s alternatives

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 01:26:56 GMT

Students could travel from the San Fernando Valley to campus in around 12 minutes, according to Los Angeles Metro’s Sepulveda Transit Corridor presentation Tuesday night.

Around 150 community members attended an open house at the Westwood United Methodist Church on Wilshire Boulevard for three of Metro’s projects – the Sepulveda Transit Corridor, the addition of ExpressLanes on Interstate 405 and the Traffic Reduction Study. The study, which is exploring implementing tolls in West L.A. to alleviate traffic, is undergoing its initial planning stages.

The open house included a formal presentation of travel times and specific boarding data for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor’s six alternatives, as well as an opportunity to ask questions.

To read the full article click here.

Daily Trojan (Opinion): Metro must choose heavy rail for Sepulveda Pass

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 01:26:54 GMT

Don’t let the shiny monorail fool you; everyday Angeleno commuters deserve better.

Whether you are a resident of Los Angeles or an out-of-state or international student, you’ve almost certainly become familiar with the car-ridden nature of our city. At the same time, you’ve likely heard our public transportation heavily criticized for its lack of speed, connectivity and safety, if you haven’t experienced it firsthand.

LA Metro knows this, and the agency has been hard at work for years not only making its existing lines safer and faster, but also planning a series of projects that will radically change the way Angelenos get around the city over the next few decades.

To read the full article click here.

LA Daily News: Public says: 93% favor rail tunnels, not an overhead monorail, for mega Sepulveda Pass project

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 01:26:53 GMT

Finding a way to travel carless over the Santa Monica Mountains, connecting the San Fernando Valley and the Westside, is a major hurdle

LA Metro’s ambitious plan to connect San Fernando Valley with the Westside via rail comes down to a choice between an overhead monorail or underground subway, and in a new report based on 3,122 comments from residents, homeowner groups, environmentalists, elected officials and others shows 93% want tunneling. Just 7% want a monorail.

In a virtual community meeting on Thursday, June 16, Metro officials reported on the two modes, and on various routes and stations roughly outlined in six project alternatives.

To read the full article click here.

LA Daily News:Metro says subway will move people between Valley and Westside faster than monorail

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 01:26:49 GMT

New data shows a subway under Sepulveda Pass will be quick, offer a UCLA stop and carry more riders.

Traveling from Van Nuys to UCLA on an underground subway would take about 12 minutes, compared to a ride on an aerial monorail that would take more than twice as long, according to new data released by LA Metro regarding its proposed Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project.

The data also showed that of six options, the underground subway — outlined as alternatives 4 to 6 — would carry a maximum of about 120,000 weekday boardings, much more than the monorail alternatives numbered 1 to 3.

To read the full article click here.

Stakeholder Meeting Report

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 12:10:40 GMT

Sepulveda Transit Corridor Partners is committed to collecting local input and clarifying community concerns and/or misconceptions that could affect our proposals to provide an alternative to the 405 with fast, green and connected rail transit with stakeholders from the Valley, the Westside and across Southern California and beyond.

Want More Information?

STCP welcomes the opportunity to meet with any interested stakeholder. We are happy to communicate in person or virtually, as stakeholders prefer.

We have met with individual Angelenos and dozens of organizations, including with federal, state and local elected officials; environmentalists; chambers of commerce; museums; houses of worship; labor unions; transportation advocates; universities; homeowners’ associations and more, and our engagement is ongoing.

Any stakeholder who wants to learn more about STCP's proposal can request an informational briefing. To meet with us, please click here.

Please note that all meetings are subject to approval by Metro and that Metro staff may attend the meeting. Additional information about the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project can be found at www.metro.net/projects/sepulvedacorridor/ .

To view STCP's full report, click here.

View STCP's stakeholder presentation:

Sepulveda Transit Corridor Partners Selects RATP Dev as O&M Partner for its Rail Transit Solution for LA Metro’s Sepulveda Project

rob@committeecreative.com (Rob Stofer) — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 15:00:01 GMT

LOS ANGELES – Sepulveda Transit Corridor Partners (STCP) announced today it has selected a world-class automated rail provider, RATP Dev, to develop the operations and maintenance component of its rail transit proposal to ease congestion on the I-405 (Sepulveda) corridor between Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley and Westside.

As part of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (Metro) Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project, STCP is developing two high-capacity rail options to provide fast, green and connected transit taking riders between the Valley and the Westside, including a station in the heart of the UCLA campus, in less than 20 minutes.

That speed, as well as trains arriving every 2.5 minutes (and every 90 seconds when needed), is to be achieved through the use of a proven automated rail technology.

“We are excited to work with RATP Dev, one of the most innovative and experienced transit operators in the world,” said Derya Thompson, Co-Director of STCP. “From planning to construction, and now for operations and maintenance of the completed line, we have assembled an infrastructure ‘Dream Team’ to propose a fast, safe, green and connected transit solution for people living and working in the Valley, on the West side and across Southern California. It is an honor to work on a transit solution that can help millions of people spend less time on the road and more time with their families.”

“STCP proposes a high quality, time-efficient and well-connected transit solution for the Sepulveda Corridor, which has the potential to dramatically change the commute of millions of people. We are very proud to have been selected as STCP’s operations and maintenance partner. "RATP Dev brings to Los Angeles more than 30 years of experience managing fully automated transit systems accident-free and with headways as low as 90 seconds,” said Mehdi Sinaceur, RATP Dev’s Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President for the Americas.

RATP Dev operates and maintains transit systems in 16 countries on five continents, including in 40 locations across 16 states and Washington, DC. It is a subsidiary of RATP Group, a leader in automated metro systems and operator of the Paris network. RATP Group operates and maintains 9 fully automated metro systems with over 120 miles of track and more than 400 million annual passengers worldwide.

STCP’s rail options – referred to by Metro as Alternative 4 and 5 – are designed to reduce freeway and street congestion, air pollution and climate change-causing emissions. It is designed to create good-paying local construction jobs and long-term operations and maintenance jobs, and increase mobility and economic opportunity across the region.

Alternative 4 and 5 are both within the same travel corridor. Alternative 4 would run on an elevated trackway between the Van Nuys/Metrolink station and a station at Sepulveda & Ventura. Alternative 5 would run entirely below ground except for the northern end of the line at the existing above ground Van Nuys/Metrolink Station. STCP is developing both Alternatives; the decision on which to pursue is Metro’s.

Alternative 4 and 5 would be integrated with Metro’s current and future transit system, with direct connections to the D, E, G Lines (also known as the Purple, Expo and Orange Lines), Metrolink, Amtrak, multiple bus lines and bike lanes.

STCP’s options are one of two Pre-Development Agreement (PDA) proposals selected by Metro for its Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project.

RATP Group’s first experience in automated rail for transit was in 1952. It has managed fully automated transit systems since 1991, and launched the world’s first fully automated high-capacity metro, Paris Line 14, in 1998. RATP Group converted Paris Line 1, a century-old conventional metro line partially traveling under the Champs-Elysees with connections to Louvre Museum, into a fully automated system in 2013. The same type of conversion for Paris Line 4 is expected to be completed in 2023.

During the project design development, RATP Dev will provide Early Operator-Maintainer consultancy services, including design review and operations and maintenance systems development. If STCP’s solution, as refined through the PDA process, is selected by the Metro Board as the locally preferred alternative (LPA), RATP Dev would help STCP manage operations and maintenance on the built rail line.

About RATP Dev

RATP Dev operates and maintains urban and regional transit systems in 16 countries on five continents (in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Belgium, Serbia, Switzerland, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Hong Kong SAR China, the Philippines, South Africa and Australia). RATP Dev demonstrates every day its extensive and renowned expertise in a wide range of mobility services, ranging from heavy rail, metro, light rail and streetcars, to bus, cable car and sightseeing activities.

RATP Dev leverages the expertise and experience of Paris-based RATP Group, a leader in fully automated metro operations and maintenance. RATP Group operates and maintains 9 fully automated metro systems with over 120 miles of track and more than 400 million annual passengers worldwide. In the United States, RATP Dev manages over 4,000 people in 16 states and Washington, D.C., operating and maintaining a wide range of rail, fixed route bus, paratransit and shuttle services at nearly 40 sites, including several locations in California. www.ratpdevusa.com

DBE Commitment

Mon, 02 May 2022 18:45:41 GMT

Providing opportunities for DBE firms is a critical part of Metro’s goal to enhance communities through mobility and access to opportunity. Sepulveda Transit Corridor Partners' team includes multiple disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) that will play critical roles in the project, including architectural design, traffic analysis and system engineering. Additionally, the team has selected four DBEs to mentor during the initial phases of the PDA.

Recently, key leaders of STCP's team -- Felicia Bell, Keith Kennedy and Gordon Anderson -- led 16 DBE representatives along the approximately 14-mile Sepulveda Corridor project route connecting the San Fernando Valley and the Westside. At each proposed station location, the group went over the vision for the rider experience and anticipated challenges. The group ate lunch at UCLA where SCTP’s proposed on-campus station would be the busiest non-transfer station of the entire Metro system. This tour is part of STCP’s' ongoing work to engage deeply with DBE partners to ensure optimal collaboration and the best possible outcome for the project.

RELEASE: US-led team of rail innovators starts work on LA Metro’s Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 23:43:32 GMT

Following Metro’s official Notice to Proceed, private-sector consortium will begin development of its transit concept

LOS ANGELES -- Sepulveda Transit Corridor Partners, a US-led team comprising Bechtel, Meridiam Infrastructure and American Triple I Partners, will start developing an innovative and transformative solution for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project following receipt of a Notice to Proceed for Pre-Development Agreement work with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (“Metro”).

“Our team is proud to partner with Metro on this transformational project, and we look forward to bringing energy and creativity to deliver a solution for Metro and the people of Los Angeles. A key to this solution will be providing a world-class transit experience that is accessible with easy connections and enhances the community experience,” said Keith Hennessey, President, Bechtel Enterprises, the financing and development group at Bechtel.

Bechtel will lead the engineering and constructability of its transit concept with key engineering partners Mott MacDonald, T.Y. Lin, and Systra. Bechtel and its engineering partners will work with more than 25 disadvantaged business enterprises and provide workforce training in collaboration with Metro’s training academy and create a pipeline of thousands of well-paying and highly skilled jobs for future generations of Angelenos.

"We are delighted to start work on this vitally important rail project in partnership with Metro and the people of LA. We are committed to this place personally as well as professionally. We want to bring the world’s best rail solutions for the long-term,” said Joe Collins, Project Manager.

“The Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project truly meets the moment in terms of Los Angeles' immediate and long-term transit needs. We will work closely with Metro to consider our high-capacity transit solution concept, which could potentially take cars off the road and provide the public with more options for traveling through the Sepulveda Corridor,” said Nicolas Rubio, Chief Executive Officer, North America, Meridiam.

“We look forward to working with Metro and our consortium partners to potentially bring this transformational transit project to the people of Los Angeles,” said ATI CEO David J. Cibrian. “The commencement of the PDA process is just one more positive sign of the continued recovery in Los Angeles and LA Metro’s continued investment in the region’s future. We are thrilled to partner with LA Metro and help advance this historic project.”

Metro plans to begin the project’s environmental review process later this year, where PDA and other concept designs will be evaluated. Metro will conduct extensive, ongoing public feedback and technical investigation and analysis during this process.

If the Metro Board selects a PDA concept as the Locally Preferred Alternative, or LPA, the selected private sector team may have an opportunity to submit a proposal to build and potentially help finance the project.

Metro's announcement of the Notice to Proceed at: https://thesource.metro.net/2021/08/03/metro-issues-go-ahead-to-two-private-firms-developing-transit-concepts-for-sepulveda-corridor/

tk/Communications

Yusef K. Robb, Chief Strategist

www.tkCommunicationsLLC.com

LA TIMES (Editorial/Opinion): Forget the monorail. L.A. needs a real transit line through the Sepulveda Pass

Mon, 03 May 2021 17:11:41 GMT

The 405 Freeway through the Sepulveda Pass is one of the nation’s most traffic-clogged corridors. For workers, students and anyone else trying to go between the San Fernando Valley and the Westside during rush hour, the route is a slog, with cars inching over the Santa Monica Mountains.

Unlike most congested routes in urban L.A., there’s no public transit alternative to sitting in traffic. Yet. After years of discussion and plans, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is expected to hire contractors next month to develop plans for either a subway or a monorail line through the pass.

This is likely to be the biggest, most impactful transit project on the horizon for Los Angeles. It’s the most important missing link of the regional transit system, and done well, it could enable the next generation of Angelenos to work, play and travel without a car.

So why are we even considering a monorail?

Sure, monorails were cutting-edge transportation technology — 50 years ago. In 1968, Metro’s predecessor agency proposed a network of electrified trains on skyways. Sketches from the plan show trains that look like Disneyland’s monorail pulling into elevated stations connected to offices by elevated walkways.

These days, monorails are mostly seen shuttling tourists around amusement parks or airports, though the technology is used for mass transit in China.

Supporters of a monorail argue it could be built faster and more cheaply than a subway. That’s an argument for expediency, for getting something, anything built — no matter whether it’s the right project. But Los Angeles has made that mistake before, sacrificing the long-term needs of riders and the transit system for political expediency. That’s one reason why you can’t take a train directly to LAX today.

And there’s no guarantee that a monorail would be cheaper or easier to build than a subway. The proposal from LA SkyRail Express, a partnership that includes the Chinese company BYD, puts the price at $6.1 billion. It’s unclear how much more it might cost to connect a monorail on the 405 with key destinations, like the UCLA campus.

Haven’t we learned the fallacy of putting rail lines in the middle of a freeway? It is an unpleasant experience for passengers, who have to wait for their train on a noisy, exhaust-choked platform. And a monorail built over a 10-plus-lane freeway surrounded by buffers and surface streets would be hard for commuters to reach. The most successful transit lines drop people off close to their destinations.

There is understandable reticence about tunneling a subway through the Santa Monica Mountains instead of using the highway’s path through the Sepulveda Pass. It’s pricey. At an estimated $10.8 billion, or more, it would be one of the most expensive transit infrastructure projects in the country.

However, a subway would be a faster ride for passengers. It could stop on the UCLA campus and could connect to the D Line extension (formerly known as the Purple Line) now under construction. Riders could take a single train from downtown to the mid-San Fernando Valley. Metro couldn’t do that with a monorail, which wouldn’t integrate with existing rail lines.

Several regional leaders have expressed skepticism about a monorail. Nevertheless, Metro’s governing board is expected to approve two agreements to explore the competing ideas — a $63.6-million contract with LA SkyRail Express for the monorail concept and a $69.9-million contract with Bechtel and partners for the subway concept.

The idea of paying for predevelopment plans for both a monorail and a subway is novel. Metro Chief Executive Phil Washington wanted to shake up the agency’s usual project development process, which tends to suffer from delays and cost overruns. Metro decided to solicit ideas from the private sector on how to best build the Sepulveda Pass line, and the agency committed to study two different modes of transit. The competition between firms and modes could help identify obstacles and opportunities early in the process — and perhaps save money and time.

There may be a logic to the idea of paying more now for additional study and analysis to avoid pitfalls later. Still, as long as monorail remains an option, there is a risk that the region’s political leaders will be wooed by expediency and the shiny new object. We prefer they take the long view: If L.A. is going to invest billions of dollars to build transit lines for the next century, let’s build the fastest, most useful and rider-friendly system possible. That’s rail, not monorail.

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RELEASE: Metro Board awards Sepulveda Transit Corridor Partners — Bechtel innovative pre-development contract to create rail transit solution for one of the Nation’s most congested freeway corridors

Sun, 25 Apr 2021 16:23:47 GMT

$69.9 million contract to advance high-speed, high-capacity rail proposal to connect San Fernando Valley to West Los Angeles & relieve I-405

Sepulveda Transit Corridor Partners — Bechtel (STCP) has been awarded a Pre-Development Agreement (PDA) contract by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) to advance its rail transit solution to potentially ease congestion on the notorious I-405 (Sepulveda) corridor between the San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles.

STCP’s proposal, one of two PDA proposals approved by Metro, is notable for its direct connections to new and proposed Metro transit lines, direct connections to key destinations including UCLA, stations that are pleasant and convenient for riders, have high passenger capacity and high speeds that deliver a less than 20-minute trip time. The heavy rail concept within the proposal could potentially reduce air pollution and climate change-causing emissions, create thousands of good-paying construction jobs, and would create lasting economic and equity benefits by increasing the number of jobs in reach to people who do not own a car. STCP believes the proposal provides a cost-effective transit solution through design innovation and minimizes project delivery risk by utilizing proven technologies and a team of partners with a global track record.

STCP comprises Bechtel Development Company, Meridiam Sepulveda and American Triple I (ATI) as Equity Members, and Bechtel Infrastructure as the Lead Construction Contractor and Lead Engineering Firm. STCP is further supported by leading engineering firms Mott Macdonald, T.Y. Lin, and Systra. As a trusted engineering, construction and project management partner to industry and government globally, Bechtel brings large-scale rail experience to STCP. STCP also benefits from the leadership and expertise of Meridiam, an investment firm focused on sustainable infrastructure development with a successful track record of developing complicated public-private partnerships, and ATI, a 100
percent minority and woman owned, managed, and controlled investor and developer.

The PDA contract is for an amount not to exceed $69.9 million, with the opportunity to enter into an Implementation Agreement for project delivery if STCP’s solution, as refined through the PDA process, is selected by the Metro Board as the locally preferred alternative (LPA) for construction. The contract to STCP was one of two Pre-Development contracts awarded by Metro for the Sepulveda Project. Metro plans to begin the environmental review process this fall, where concept designs for these and other alternatives will be advanced and/or refined through extensive, ongoing public feedback and technical investigation and analysis. Metro retains the ability to continue the partnership through final design with one of the private sector teams if its transit concept is consistent with the project’s Locally Preferred Alternative, or LPA, that will be selected by the Metro Board.

In recommending STCP’s proposal for approval by the Metro Board, Metro staff wrote: “Bechtel’s proposal included well thought out stations siting, configuration and connections/transfers and stations were sized for some amount of growth in train consists. The team proposed a single-bore tunnel design to address significant challenges with tunneling and demonstrated a good understanding of geo-technical issues. The proposal highlighted detailed plans to completing the PDA work, including consideration for third parties, FTA and the environmental process. During the interview, the Bechtel team demonstrated cohesion and coordination and their commitment to the Project. The financial proposal highlighted deep global financing experience across a range of project types and extensive experience with projects of similar size and complexity. The team’s financial capacity appeared quite strong and they depicted an appropriate financial structure with a diversity of sources.”

STCP also comprises 28 disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) supporting the technical solution in various roles, including architectural design, traffic analysis and system engineering. Additionally, the team has selected four DBEs to mentor during theinitial phases of the PDA.

“We are excited to partner with Metro and the community to refine our PDA proposal to potentially ease congestion between the Valley and the Westside with a transit solution that offers fast travel times, a superior passenger experience and complete connections to Metro's growing system,” said Keith Hennessey, President, Bechtel Enterprises. “Our proposed heavy rail solution seeks to promote economic opportunity and sustainability within the Sepulveda Corridor and throughout the Los Angeles region.”

“The Sepulveda Corridor Transit project truly meets the moment in terms of Los Angeles' immediate and long-term transit needs. Our below-ground, fully automated and time-efficient Metro system will address the critical transit challenges of currently underserved communities and reduce congestion while maximizing safety and energy efficiency,” said Romain Limouzin, Chief Operating Officer, Meridiam N.A. “We look forward to working with Metro and our consortium partners to potentially bring this transformational transit project to the citizens of Los Angeles.”

ATI CEO David J. Cibrian added, “Metro leadership continues its pursuit of a world-class transportation system that enhances the quality of life for the residents of Los Angeles County. Metro has adopted an innovative and visionary Pre-Development Agreement approach to this complex infrastructure project and we are pleased to be working alongside them.”

A PDA is a form of early contractor involvement where a private project developer participates in early project definition and design, in partnership with the project owner. The two selected PDA contractors will provide technical work products including cost estimates, constructibility reviews and technical analyses that support the ongoing development of the project as it progresses through the environmental review and approval processes.

About the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (Metro) Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project seeks to improve travel between the San Fernando Valley, the Westside and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) via high-speed, high-capacity rail line. The line is intended to offer travelers with a competitive alternative to the I-405 Freeway, one of the most traveled urban highways in the nation that accommodates more than 400,000 daily trips. The project is funded in part by Measure M, the transportation sales tax approved by 71 percent of Los Angeles County voters in 2016. The total project will receive $9.5 billion in funding from Measure M and other local, state, and federal sources. Metro’s pursuit of Pre-Development Agreements with private industry partners best positions Metro to potentially accelerate the project. For additional project information, visit https://www.metro.net/projects/sepulvedacorridor/ .

About Meridiam

Meridiam was founded in 2005 by Thierry Déau, with the belief that the alignment of interests between the public and private sector can provide critical solutions to the collective needs of communities. Meridiam is an independent investment Benefit Corporation under French law and an asset manager. The firm specializes in the development, financing, and long-term management of sustainable public infrastructure in three core sectors: mobility, energy transition and environment, and social infrastructure. With offices in, Addis Ababa, Amman, Dakar, Istanbul, New York, Luxembourg, Paris, Toronto and Vienna, Meridiam currently manages US$8 billion and more than 90 projects and assets to date. Meridiam is certified ISO 9001: 2015, Advanced Sustainability Rating by VigeoEiris and applies a proprietary methodology in relation to ESG and impact based on United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). www.meridiam.com | Meridiam | Twitter | Meridiam LinkedIn | Meridiam YouTube

About American Triple I

American Triple I (ATI) is an investor, owner, developer and manager of infrastructure assets and infrastructure-focused companies. ATI is committed to serving its investor partners and communities by deploying capital into much needed infrastructure projects and businesses throughout the United States. The firm generally targets value-add, lower middle market opportunities that spur economic development in markets across the U.S. as well as larger opportunities where the experience of the firm and its Principals brings unique value to the transaction. The firm invests in the transportation, digital and social infrastructure sectors. ATI is a signatory of the United Nations-supported Principles of Responsible Investing and actively seeks high quality projects, which benefit its clients and adhere to the firm’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. ATI is 100% minority and woman owned, managed and controlled. www.tripleipartners.com | American Triple I LinkedIn

About Bechtel

Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers’ objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.

Bechtel serves the Infrastructure; Nuclear, Security & Environmental; Oil, Gas & Chemicals; and Mining & Metals markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations. www.bechtel.com

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