Meeting_Body
CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE
JUNE 15, 2016
Subject/Action
SUBJECT: VAN NUYS NORTH PLATFORM PROJECT
ACTION: APPROVE REALLOCATION OF STATE FUNDS FROM METRO TO SCRRA
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
APPROVE the transfer and reallocation of State Proposition 1B Intercity Rail Improvement Program (ICR1B) funds for the Van Nuys North Platform Project from Metro to the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA)
Issue
ISSUE
In January 2016, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated $30.5 million in ICR1B funds to LACMTA (Metro) for construction of the Van Nuys North Platform Project (the Project). SCRRA has requested that the State allocate the ICR1B funds directly to SCRRA rather than to Metro for the Project.
This action would change the project allocation grantee recipient status from Metro to SCRRA for the Project
Discussion
DISCUSSION
There are two main tracks at the Van Nuys Station; however, there is only one side platform, thereby creating a single track capacity constraint and bottleneck at the station. In January 2012 a funding agreement was executed between Caltrans Division of Rail and Mass Transportation (the Department) and Metro for environmental clearance and preliminary engineering for the Project, which was completed in late 2013. In June 2014, a funding agreement was executed between the Department and Metro for final design for the Project, which was completed in late 2015.
In September 2015, SCRRA requested to work with Metro to develop plans to transfer the management of specific capital projects currently under the management of Metro, including the Project, from Metro to SCRRA. Due to SCRRA’s unique experience with engineering and construction of commuter rail projects which operate under Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) jurisdiction, staff concurs that some Metro Regional Rail projects, including the Project, are candidates to be transferred for SCRRA management.
Attachment A identifies SCRRA’s organization structure and its capacity to deliver commuter rail capital projects for the region. Attachment B identifies the Van Nuys North Platform Project roles and responsibilities between Metro and SCRRA.
SCRRA is currently conducting a constructability review of the 100% design plans. Pending SCRRA’s review and acceptance of the 100% design plans and engineer’s estimate of the project costs, staff recommends that the Project be transferred to SCRRA as a pilot project for construction. Pending SCRRA’s successful construction of this Project, other Metro Regional Rail projects will be assessed and considered for transfer to SCRRA for construction on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, this project can be used as a pilot project to evaluate the transfer of other projects to SCRRA.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The Project will include a new pedestrian underpass built to current Metrolink standards. This will provide pedestrian access to the platform without crossing active railroad tracks.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact to Metro since the $30.5 million in ICR1B funds will be allocated from the Department directly to SCRRA for construction of the Project.
Impact to Budget
Source of funds: $30.5 million in State Proposition 1B Intercity Improvement Program (ICR1B) funds (allocated directly by the State to SCRRA)
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
An alternative is that the $30.5 million in ICR1B funds continue to be allocated to Metro. This is not recommended since SCRRA has a proven successful record of construction of commuter rail projects in accordance with FRA and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) requirements. SCRRA has also historically constructed Metrolink commuter rail projects in Los Angeles County on Metro’s behalf.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Metrolink will advertise construction of the Project in late 2016, award the contract by April 2017 and issue Notice to Proceed shortly thereafter. The Project is estimated to take two years to complete construction. Metro will monitor the Project as owner of the right of way, and as a major project stakeholder. Staff will report to the board on the Project progress through the Regional Rail quarterly board report.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - SCRRA’s Organizational Structure
Attachment B -Van Nuys North Platform Roles and Responsibilities
Attachment C -- Van Nuys North Platform Rendering
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Jeanet Owens, P.E., Interim Executive Officer, Regional Rail (213) 922-6877
Jay Fuhrman, Transportation Manager IV, Regional Rail
(213) 922-2810
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Richard Clarke, Executive Director, Program Management
(213) 922-7557
