The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) has released its recommendation for two private sector teams to conduct pre-development work to advance the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project, a complex transportation project that seeks to directly connect the San Fernando Valley and the Westside via high-speed, high-capacity transit line.

In March, L.A. Metro will ask its Board of Directors to approve two multi-million-dollar contracts to perform these services.

Two different fixed guideway technologies will be further developed as possible transit solutions for the corridor. L.A. Metro is recommending LA SkyRail Express for its proposed monorail concept and Sepulveda Transit Corridor Partners – Bechtel for its proposed heavy rail concept. Both proposals present benefits and trade-offs and will be refined further, based in part on public feedback and the environmental process moving forward.

L.A. Metro has long sought to pursue an innovative partnership model known as a Pre-Development Agreement (PDA) to enable early contractor involvement in the project. It allows for innovations in design, engineering, construction approach, financing and operations. Under this unique project delivery approach, L.A. Metro aims to bring the expertise and creativity of the private sector to the table early, when critical design and engineering decisions can have the greatest impact on the project’s ultimate success.

After selection of the LPA by the L.A. Metro Board, the agency would have the opportunity to invite the successful partner team, if any, whose solution aligns with L.A. Metro’s LPA to submit a proposal to deliver the project, likely through a public-private partnership.