LA Metro Selects AECOM-Led JV to Deliver VTC Planning and Environmental Study
Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
Map Courtesy of LA Metro
AECOM on Jan. 4 announced that LA Metro has awarded the Vermont Transit Corridor (VTC) Planning and Environmental Study to the Vermont Corridor Partners (VCP), an AECOM-led joint venture (JV) with minority-owned small businesses Terry A. Hayes Associates Inc. (TAHA) and RAW International, Inc. (RAW).
According to AECOM, the study calls for a comprehensive bus rapid transit (BRT) and rail improvement strategy along Vermont Avenue, the second busiest transit corridor in LA Metro’s bus portfolio stretching from Hollywood Boulevard to 120th Street. The JV, the company says, “will play a central role in its planning, design, and implementation with an emphasis on mobility access, equity, and community priorities.”
LA Metro’s VTC project is comprised of several phases. In the near-term, it calls for solutions to improve existing bus service. The mid-term improvements include a 12.4-mile BRT project along with enhanced stations, service, and bus-only lanes. Long term, the project envisions rail, subject to funding availability. Once complete, AECOM says the project will “improve transit travel speeds, relieve crowding on current service and improve on-time performance.” In addition, the improvements will increase connectivity to other LA Metro services, including the B and D Lines, the C Line and the E Line.
The JV’s scope will support the project across all phases, including an alternatives analysis (AA); environmental study; equity, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) programming; and advanced design and engineering services for the BRT. Additionally, the JV will be responsible for delivering a California Environmental Quality Act environmental clearance for both the BRT and rail alternatives. The team’s BRT and rail design teams will collaborate to address BRT design requirements for future potential rail conversion.
“This transformation along the Vermont corridor is one of the most critical projects on LA Metro’s horizon,” said Matt Crane, Chief Executive of AECOM’s U.S. West region. “There’s great potential to improve the speed and reliability of bus service on the busiest north-south corridor in LA. In addition, this is an important opportunity to integrate equity from the start and develop a context-sensitive solution tailored to the community’s priorities and needs. It’s a shining example of how world-class transit can improve social and environmental outcomes for communities.”
“The VCP team’s successful delivery of major transit projects across the globe, understanding of the local environment, and technical expertise make us uniquely positioned to solve the city’s most complex challenges,” said Mark Southwell, Chief Executive of AECOM’s global Transportation business. “We’re proud to continue our 40-year legacy of advancing LA Metro transit projects to help carry communities into the future—safely and reliably.”
According to AECOM, this contract continues a successful and long-standing partnership between the infrastructure consulting firm, TAHA and RAW. The three organizations serve a portfolio of successful LA Metro projects, including the Regional Connector Transit Corridor Project, E Line and Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project, among others.
