Metro Gold Line

To shave up to 15 months off the schedule, the Metro Gold Line client chose a design-build delivery process and selected a Kiewit-led joint venture to construct this light rail extension.

Completed in July 2003, the $300 million project runs along an existing rail right-of-way from Los Angeles to Claremont. The project extends 13.7 miles from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles and serves the communities of Los Angeles, Chinatown, Lincoln Heights, Highland Park, South Pasadena and Pasadena. There are six new stations in Los Angeles, one in South Pasadena and six in Pasadena. Opening day ridership exceeded 30,000, which is expected to double by 2015.

Other project elements included a 230-foot pedestrian bridge spanning the I-210 freeway; seismic retrofit of the Madre Street undercrossing of the freeway; two cut-and-cover tunnels; and more than three miles of retaining walls. Twenty-eight local street intersections were also reconfigured.

To minimize inconveniences to the community, motorists and the public, local business access was maintained throughout construction and a community involvement/information program was implemented on a continual basis.

Mass. Electric Construction Co., also a subsidiary of Kiewit Corporation, installed the transit signal system, which included 14 rail siding control switches, 26 grade crossings and several quad gates. Additional work involved installing 10 traction power substations, 31 miles of auto-tensioned overhead catenary, and communications and data gathering facilities.