 Photo: Foothill Gold Line staff and board, along with representatives from SSH Joint Venture, celebrate award of construction manager contract for Pomona to Claremont project.
At their May meeting this week, the Construction Authority board of directors voted unanimously to award the construction manager contract for the 2.3-mile Pomona to Claremont A Line Extension to SSH Joint Venture (SSH), a team made up of Skanska USA Civil West California District Inc., Stacy and Witbeck, Inc. and Herzog Contracting Corp. The construction manager contract is the second of two major contracts now awarded to deliver the Pomona to Claremont A Line Extension using the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery method adopted by the board last year. The first, for design/engineering services, was awarded to Parsons Transportation Group, Inc. (Parsons) in January.
The award of the construction manager contract, which includes an initial authorization of $6.3 million for preconstruction activities, was the outcome of a competitive procurement process that saw bids from four well-qualified teams. SSH ranked the highest overall of the four teams competing for the contract, following review of the written proposals, in-person interviews and evaluation of their cost.
Each team was rated on management approach; experience, personnel and performance; interview performance; approach to working in a complex right-of-way corridor with Metrolink/SCRRA; and approach to light rail systems. Because the full cost of constructing the project won't be determined until after the project design reaches about 85% (expected in Fall 2027), the procurement process used a formula that compared the four teams based on their preconstruction phase cost proposals and profit and overhead figures. Ultimately, the teams were ranked on a “best value” approach, in which technical scores and interview performance were weighted significantly heavier than the results of the price formula. SSH was ranked highest overall and determined to be the team providing the “best value.”
As SSH comes on board in the weeks ahead, their initial contracted work will involve supporting the design/engineering effort. During this preconstruction phase, SSH will be responsible for providing constructability reviews, value engineering, third-party coordination and cost estimating – all of which will inform the design efforts underway by Parsons. Following the project design reaching approximately 85%, SSH will have the possibility of building the project if the team successfully negotiates a construction services contract with an acceptable price.
Assuming a successful negotiation of the construction services contract, the Pomona to Claremont A Line Extension, which will include a new Metro A Line station in the City of Claremont and take about four years to build, would be ready to start major construction as early as late 2027.
Parsons Continues to Ready Design/Engineering for Pomona to Claremont A Line Extension
   Photos: Construction Authority and Parsons design staff meet in May as the design effort for Pomona to Claremont project continues
As reported earlier this year, and mentioned above, Parsons was awarded a six-year, $60 million design and engineering services contract this past January after a competitive procurement that resulted in Parsons being the top ranked team. Since the award, Parsons has been working alongside the Construction Authority to advance elements of the 2.3-mile light rail extension from approximately 30% design to 60% (the design will then be advanced to 85%, 100% and finally “Approved for Construction” drawings). The design effort will take approximately 18-24 months, and then Parsons will remain on the project to support the construction effort with any additional design services needed.
Master Cooperative Agreement Amendment Approved by Construction Authority and Metro
In another key decision this week, the boards of directors of both the Construction Authority and Metro voted to approve an amendment to the ongoing Master Cooperative Agreement (MCA) between the agencies. The MCA lays out the roles and responsibilities of each agency as they work together over the course of the project’s design, construction and testing, with the Construction Authority turning the completed project over to Metro for operations. The MCA was amended to clarify how the agreement would apply to a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery method, which is being used to deliver the Pomona to Claremont segment.
As a reminder, the Pomona to Claremont A Line Extension received $798 million in funding from Metro in late 2024 through SB 125.
 Photo: Foothill Gold Line staff and board celebrate completion of Glendora to Pomona punch list work. (Pictured left to right: CEO Habib F. Balian; Board Vice Chair and Glendora Councilmember Mendell Thompson; Board Chair and Claremont Vice Mayor Ed Reece; Board Member and Pasadena Councilmember Gene Masuda; and FGL and Metro Board Member and Pomona Mayor Tim Sandoval).
Following the four-station Glendora to Pomona extension reaching substantial completion on time and on budget in January 2025, crews have continued to complete work on thousands of smaller, final elements – known as punch list items – that don’t impact passenger service. Examples of punch list items include installing wind screens at the stations, repairing sidewalks and adding finishing touches to the overall rider experience at the four new stations. This month, the project reached a major milestone when the punch list was completed.
As seen above, Construction Authority board members and staff celebrated the completion of the punch list at the May board meeting. Congratulations to the entire team for reaching this major project milestone, and thank you again to the community for your patience as we completed this important regional project.
Foothill Gold Line staff will be hosting an information booth at the Pomona Chamber’s “Toss for Success” Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser, taking place Saturday, June 6 from 9 AM to Noon at the Derby Room Pomona at the Fairplex. Stop by our booth to ask staff questions and learn more about the Pomona to Claremont A Line Extension. See below for more information.
Pomona Chamber’s “Toss for Success” Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser
 WHEN: Saturday, June 6 – 9 AM to Noon
WHERE: Derby Room Pomona at the Fairplex, 2201 N. White Ave., Pomona, CA 91768
Click here for more information.
Thank you for your interest in the Foothill Gold Line.
Lisa Levy Buch, Chief Communications and Strategic Development Officer and the Public Affairs Team
|
