A joint venture of Skanska and Stacy Witbeck has broken ground on the $2.43 billion East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit project in Van Nuys, California, according to a Monday news release.
Stockholm-based Skanska originally announced it had won the contract as part of a JV in August. Along with Alameda, California-based Stacy Witbeck, the project team penned a $1.9 billion contract with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the job. Skanska pegged its share of the contract at $957 million, per the announcement, indicating a roughly even split with Stacy Witbeck. The $2.43 billion figure reflects the total project cost, including preconstruction.
At the Van Nuys Civic Center, LA Metro, civic leaders and community members turned dirt to commemorate the kickoff.
“A groundbreaking marks the start of construction, but this project represents something much bigger for the community,” Clayton Gilliland, president of Stacy Witbeck, said in the release. “Hearing firsthand how this light rail line will improve access to schools, jobs, health care and neighboring communities reinforces why this work matters.”
The scope of work includes construction of a 6.7-mile, 11-station, street-level light rail along Van Nuys Boulevard, as well as a 26-acre rail and maintenance facility. Construction will also require shade structures and utility relocations, per Skanska’s release.
When completed, the light rail will improve mobility in the East San Fernando Valley. Trains are expected to run every seven to 10 minutes during peak hours.
In addition, the JV will conduct the San Fernando Transit Constructors Careers Academy, a program offering professional development courses for individuals living near the project footprint who are interested in careers in construction.
Skanska and Stacy Witbeck have a history of Los Angeles infrastructure builds. They previously served as JV partners on five infrastructure and rail projects in Southern California, according to the release, including the Sixth Street Viaduct Replacement Project in downtown Los Angeles.
Construction on the light rail is scheduled for completion in early 2032.
