Next week’s Greenbuild Conference & Expo in Los Angeles will include its first-ever program specifically for an infrastructure project, the Expo Light Rail Phase 2, which completes the public transit connection between L.A. and Santa Monica, Calif.
The 6.6-mile project is an extension of the existing 80-station Metro Rail system across L.A. County. The extension adds seven at-grade stations between Culver City and Santa Monica.
Phase 2 has been designed to minimize their environmental impact. This is the first transit project—and, at more than $700 million, the largest project at contract value—to achieve Envision Platinum certification from the Institute of Sustainable Infrastructure.
Administered by ISI, Envision consists of a broad range of criteria that address a project’s impact on the surrounding community and environment, technical considerations regarding materials and processes, and other critical choices spanning the project’s lifecycle.
A joint venture between Skanska and Steve P. Rados Construction started this project in 2012. The extension opened on May 20, 2016. The rail line now connects the city of Los Angeles to its beaches in approximately 46 minutes. The system also integrates with other means of transit, such as buses and nearly five miles of parallel bike paths.
Skanska USA Civil has committed that, by 2020, all of its projects will seek Envision certification.
Greenbuild attendees will be able to tour the project at 8 a.m. on Monday, October 3.
The total cost of Expo Light Rail Phase 2 was $1.6 billion, funded in large part by Measure R, passed in 2008, a 30-year, half-cent sales tax increase that kickstarted a public transit construction boom. When the Metro’s Regional Connector subway is completed, around 2021, Expo will link East Los Angeles to downtown Santa Monica.
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Nov 6, 2017
Top 15 transit engineering firms
AECOM, STV, and Arup top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest transit sector engineering and EA firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Nov 6, 2017
Top 25 transit architecture firms
Jacobs, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and Perkins+Will top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest transit sector architecture and AE firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Mixed-Use | Sep 25, 2017
Getting there is half the fun: Mass transit helps entertainment districts thrive
In Los Angeles, the entertainment district L.A. Live is expected to benefit from the proposed expansion of the city’s mass transit system.
Transportation & Parking Facilities | Aug 6, 2017
Post Panama Canal expansion, the top three U.S. ports still rule
But land constraints around the terminals are pushing asset prices and rents to new highs.
Transit Facilities | Jun 21, 2017
Foster + Partners unveils design for the Ourense FFCC Station in Galicia, Spain
The project will create key infrastructure for the future development of the city and provide it a new social focus.
Transit Facilities | Mar 31, 2017
Mississauga Bus Rapid Transit stations share common theme but sport custom details
The route will connect with Toronto public transit.
Transit Facilities | Mar 30, 2017
Train station architectural design fundamentals: Accessibility
If safety is the number one priority for train stations, then accessibility comes in at a close second.
Transit Facilities | Feb 7, 2017
Wood and glass dominate Swedish city’s new ‘living room’
The building will be a train station and City Hall for the Swedish city of Växjö.
Transportation & Parking Facilities | Jan 31, 2017
Public transportation of the future: Four new sustainable technologies
In 2014, Americans spent an average of 42 hours per year sitting in traffic jams.
Transit Facilities | Nov 15, 2016
The winning design for the Paris metro station competition looks like a giant, loopy “P”
Bjarke Ingels Group and Silvio d’Ascia Architecture teamed up to create the winning submission.
