The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking early private sector help for its multi-billion-dollar Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project.

The RFP seeks a pre-development agreement with up to two private sector firms to help plan and design a fixed guideway transit line connecting the San Fernando Valley to the Westside, and ultimately Los Angeles International Airport. Once project development is complete, the developer would have an opportunity to submit a proposal to build the line, potentially accelerating construction and improving project performance.

Artist's concept of part of the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project in Los Angeles. Source: LA MetroMetro said the transit line would provide a new travel option in the "perpetually congested" 405 freeway corridor through the Sepulveda Pass.

The project is funded in part by Measure M, a transportation sales tax approved by Los Angeles County voters in 2016. The project is expected to receive $9.5 billion in funding from Measure M and other local, state and federal sources. The first phase of the transit line between the Valley and the Westside is scheduled to open in 2033.

The transit agency said that a PDA would enable early contractor involvement in the project, potentially allowing for innovations in design, construction approach and operations. A private project developer would participate in defining and designing the project concept together with Metro with input from community stakeholders. Private project developer teams that are awarded a PDA would provide design and engineering to support development of the project, constructability reviews and cost estimates. This information would also be included in the project’s official environmental review process, which is expected to begin in 2020.

PDA contractors would likely develop various project concepts involving a range of possible transit modes, some of which may involve new approaches and innovations for Metro staff, the Metro Board of Directors and the public to consider. After selection and final engineering of the preferred project alternative by the Metro Board, Metro may invite the successful developer team to submit an offer to deliver the project at an agreed upon price and schedule, likely through a public-private partnership. Metro said it also would retain the option to pursue a different project development and delivery path at no additional obligation.

Metro said it is wrapping up work on a feasibility study evaluating potential transit alternatives for the project. By the summer of 2020, Metro expects to select up to two contractors as PDA partners and identify the alternatives to be studied in the environmental review.