Hill International to manage LACMTA Gold Line work

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has chosen Hill International to manage the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority, an LACMTA affiliate overseeing the design and construction of the $458 million, 11.4-mile extension of Gold Line light rail service from Pasadena to Azusa, Calif.

The Foothill Extension will reach from the Gold Line’s current eastern terminus in East Pasadena through the cities of Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, and Irwindale, terminating in Azusa. The project is scheduled for completion in 2013, assuming it receives funding in 2010.

“The Foothill Extension is the only rail project in Los Angeles County that is ready to go, and the board’s selection of a program manager indicates how close we are to getting construction boots on the ground,” said Metro Gold Line Chief Executive Officer Habib Balian, who was authorized to negotiate the terms of the contract with Hill International.

As program manager, Hill International will oversee implementation of a design/build contract including design, construction, quality assurance/quality control, safety, community involvement, business impact, environmental mitigations, maintenance of traffic oversight,  and related issues. Hill’s primary subconsultant on the project is Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.

“I am honored to be part of the Foothill Extension, having been part of Phase 1 of the project,” said John K. Skoury, Hill International vice president and program manager. “The Phase 2A extension is even more exciting to me personally and the Hill team is ready to help our client deliver this ambitious project.”