The Pasadena Metro Blue Line
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Los Angeles, California
STV, in joint venture, is providing full-service construction management for a new $804 million light rail line in southern California. The new Pasadena Metro Blue Line is an extension of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) rail system. It passes through some of the oldest communities in the Greater Los Angeles area, and is being constructed to relieve the congestion on the communities' roads, which are among the area's most heavily traveled. Two of the 22-construction contracts comprising this package are the MTA's first design build projects.
The new section extends the Blue Line light rail system from Union Station in Los Angeles to the City of Pasadena. Once completed, the Blue Line will have 13 stations, an average of one mile apart. Trains will operate every six to nine minutes during rush hours and every 15 minutes at off-peak times.
As the construction management firm, STV is performing a variety of duties, including constructibility reviews, resident engineering, construction inspection, QA/QC, systemwide and facilities engineering support, testing and system start-up, and systems integration prior to revenue service. STV is providing extensive design review of all of the individual construction packages with an eye towards cost reduction and claims mitigation.
Award-winning Bridges and Famous Neighborhoods
Two bridges in the project area have already received awards. One bridge, the Arroyo Seco Bridge, is a historic bridge that underwent reconstruction. The bridge was dismantled and reworked to retain it's original architectural style while allowing for the two-track light rail line. The bridge received a California Preservation Foundation award. A segmentally constructed bridge, the Los Angeles River Bridge Crossing, was recently presented with a Portland Cement Association award.
STV is also managing the construction of a 2,800-foot-long, seismically designed aerial structure, with a station, that will serve the famous Chinatown section of Los Angeles. Park-n-ride facilities are also being constructed. Another element of the project entails reconstruction work at the Union Station Terminus.
Managing Construction Through Historic Areas
A cut-and-cover tunnel is being constructed in the highly sensitive downtown area of "Old Pasadena". STV is managing the construction of the underpinning to the adjacent buildings, some of which are more than 100 years old and are listed in the historical registers. These buildings are constructed of masonry and sit only three feet away from the edge of the tunnel. The work involves the placement of 30-foot-high foundation structures under the old buildings. The majority of this work is accomplished by hand digging.
One portion of the project, known as The Marmion Way, traverses at grade through an old Hispanic neighborhood. STV is involved in a series of meetings in an effort to develop the urban designs and amenities for this historic section.
The Blue Line passes near the first freeway constructed in the United States, the 110 Pasadena Freeway which opened in 1940. The roads through this area are heavily congested. The Blue Line will ease this congestion and will be a vital link in the new transit system being constructed in Los Angeles. |
