Metro begins Advanced Utility Relocation Work for Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor Project
First Project Labor Agreement Contract to Put Economically Disadvantage People to Work
Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board Chair Antonio Villaraigosa joined Los Angeles County Supervisor and Metro Board member Mark Ridley-Thomas today to announce the beginning of the advanced utility relocation work for the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor construction project which is the first contract awarded under Metro's new Project Labor Agreement, a pact between Metro and the building trades to implement a targeted hiring program that will help provide jobs to economically disadvantaged workers.
"The Crenshaw/LAX light rail line will provide a vital transportation link for this community and our entire city," said Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board Chair Antonio Villaraigosa. "By utilizing Metro's Project Labor Agreement Program for this project we are getting Angelenos back to work and creating job opportunities for those who need them the most."
The Project Labor Agreement (PLA) is an agreement negotiated with the Los Angeles/Orange County Building Trades Council and approved by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors that will help facilitate the timely completion of transit and highway projects in Los Angeles County. These projects are largely being funded by Measure R, a local half cent sales tax approved by LA County voters in November 2008. However, many of the projects will also be leveraged with federal monies.
"The Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor Project will create jobs that are badly needed throughout this region and jobs that are welcome news to individuals within our communities," said LA County Supervisor and Metro Board Member Mark Ridley-Thomas. "Over the course of construction on this vital transportation project, thousands of jobs will be created and thanks to Metro's Construction Careers Policy and Project Labor Agreement, 40 percent of those jobs created will go to workers who live in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods with 10 percent of those jobs going to low income, chronically unemployed individuals."
Advanced utility relocation work for the Crenshaw/LAX light rail line will be done at 10 locations along Crenshaw corridor in advance of awarding a design-build contract for the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor project. The work will be performed over a twelve month period.
The locations where utility relocation work will be performed include; dry utilities relocations for the Federal Aviation Administration and Los Angeles World Airports crossing Metro's right-of-way at LAX will take place at Aviation adjacent to the airports south runways between 104th and 111th streets. Storm drains crossing Metro's right-of-way in Inglewood at La Brea/Ivy and Florence. Sewer line relocations along Crenshaw Blvd. at Victoria/Crenshaw and 67th and Crenshaw and 60th streets. Water line relocations along Crenshaw Blvd. at Slauson and Crenshaw at 48th, 50th, 54th streets and storm drain relocation near Leimert Park at Crenshaw/Leimert and West 48th Street.
In addition to the utility relocations, private utilities are working directly with Metro to relocate facilities at Exposition Blvd, Mark Luther King Blvd, La Brea and Manchester Avenue. Facilities include water lines, gas lines, AT&T and overhead power lines. Work will be conducted through spring 2013.
The $8.6 million utility relocation contract is being performed by Metro Builders & Engineers Group under contract to Metro. During construction Metro will make every effort to mitigate impacts to the community and traffic movement along the corridor.
The 8.5-mile light rail project will run between the Expo Line on Exposition Boulevard and the Metro Green Line. It will serve the Crenshaw Corridor, Inglewood, Westchester, and LAX area with six stations, a maintenance facility, park and ride lots, traction power substations and the acquisition of rail vehicles and maintenance equipment.
The Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor Project will offer an alternative transportation option to congested roadways and provide significant environmental benefits, economic development and employment opportunities throughout Los Angeles County.
For additional information visit www.metro.net/crenshaw or call the project phone number (213) 922-2736.
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