LA Infrastructure Forum Agenda - November 20
Scott Seltz, Publisher, ENR
Reimagining How We Think and Talk about Infrastructure
Policy makers, practitioners, and residents of Los Angeles County increasingly agree that our infrastructure systems are under pressure. The effects of climate change increasingly wreak havoc on communities and the environment. Racial inequities built into our public infrastructure continue to burden communities of color. And despite substantial gains in housing and services, the number of people experiencing homelessness continues to grow. Simply repairing our outmoded infrastructure systems with the same traditional policies, strategies, and designs is not enough. Infrastructure’s role is to deliver sustainable, resilient, and equitable prosperity across all types of projects, places, and people—and that requires a fundamental reimagining of how we think and talk about infrastructure. In this presentation, Director Pestrella will explain how Los Angeles County is at the forefront of this effort and focused on creating sweeping generational change that leaves a legacy of safe, healthy, and thriving communities.
Los Angeles: Building Infrastructure That Works For All
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has a key priority to deliver robust and resilient infrastructure at the nexus of climate and equity—from expanded transit and more affordable housing to strengthened flood risk protection and new sources of clean energy. Randall Winston, Deptuy Mayor of Infrastructure, will share details of the city’s ambitious program that also makes use of state and federal funding to boost needed projects, services, jobs and quality of life for all Angelenos—particularly those in historically underserved communities. It includes meeting commitments under the Mobility 2035 program, preparing for the 2028 Olympics and establishing a long-term capital improvement plan centered on transparency, accountability and inclusion.
A $30 Billion Transformation: The Convergence of Innovation, Sustainability and Mobility
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is in the midst of a $30+ billion transformation to become a world-class gateway to Los Angeles – a leading destination city – and 74 locations around the globe. Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) manages construction 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in preparation for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, while welcoming upwards of 75 million travelers annually. With the completion of its $5.5-billion Landside Modernization Program, LAWA is embarking on another ambitious plan, investing roughly $15 billion on the Airfield and Terminal Modernization Program that includes the new Terminal 9 with 12 to 18 gates, Concourse 0 with 6 to 9 gates and major airfield and roadway improvements. Hear directly from LAWA's Interim CEO, Beatrice Hsu, about the significant contracting opportunities and her approach to delivering one of the most transformative airport development programs in the world.
Connecting Communities—Equity, Diversity and Infrastructure
This panel will explore the trend to use new infrastructure projects to reverse past damage done to low-income and minority communities. The Biden Administration has emphasized social equity as a key part of national transportation policy, and California statewide has emphasized the need to reunite neighborhoods, promote economic growth and revitalize urban centers. Diversity, inclusion and workforce development are critical components of the equity equation. Experts from government and major facility owners will join to explain how this effort is unfolding in LA County.
Terri Mestas, Chief Development Officer, Los Angeles World Airports
Phillip A. Washington, Co-Founder, Equity in Infrastructure Project, and CEO, Denver International Airport
Equity In Infrastructure Project Pledge Signing
Public and private sector chief executives will sign the Equity In Infrastructure Pledge, advancing a coalition of 46 heads of state DOTs, transit authorities, airports, ports, water districts, engineering firms and organizations committed to creating generational wealth through improved infrastructure contracting opportunities for Historically Underutilized Businesses.
Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Emcee Phillip A. Washington, Co-Founder, Equity in Infrastructure Project, and CEO, Denver International Airport
Signatories Martin L. Adams, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Matt Crane, AECOM
Dolla Dawson, Milhouse Engineering & Construction
Robert Ferrante, LA County Sanitation Districts
Selwyn Hollins, Los Angeles County Internal Services Department
Beatrice Hsu, Los Angeles World Airports
Kelly LoBianco, Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity
Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Mark Pestrella, Los Angeles County Public Works
Terry Ruhl, H.W. Lochner
Gene Seroka, Port of Los Angeles
Michael Sutton,Infrastructure Engineering, Inc.
Stephanie Wiggins, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Moving Fast: Metro’s Multibillion-Dollar Plans
Fueled by a voter-passed measure in 2016 that provides $120 billion over 40 years for construction and propelled by the city’s hosting of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, LA Metro is in full swing with a massive capital program. CEO Stephanie Wiggins will discuss the agency’s ambitious plans to expand transit, make transportation equitable and available to all, and build the right project while building projects right.
Los Angeles County: A New Era of Sustainable Water
We live in a very arid region, with over half of our water supply imported. Yet we discharge much of our cleaned wastewater to the ocean. With LA County water supplies interconnected across communities and agencies, regional solutions are critical to address current and future water needs. Use of recycled water such as for irrigation of parks and street medians has helped to boost local supply reliability—but looking to the future, we are bumping up against limits in these types of programs. To fully maximize local resources in a sustainable way, we must invest in new large-scale water recycling projects. Robert Ferrante, Chief Engineer and General Manager of Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts will share details on how projects now contemplated can lead to a new era of drought-resistant regional water supply.
Our Clean Energy Future Is Now
Achieving 100% clean energy for Los Angeles is no longer far off in the future—it’s happening now! Martin L. Adams, General Manager and Chief Engineer of the Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power (LADWP) shares insight into agency actions underway, and its next steps and key challenges to achieving a power system that is 100% carbon free as well as reliable, affordable and equitable. Based on results of the groundbreaking 100% Renewable Energy Study (LA100), the department is working to meet aggressive targets of 80% renewables by 2030 and 100% clean energy by 2035. Learn about progress and planned actions such as expanded local solar programs, transportation electrification, large renewable projects, transmission upgrades and other components of our clean energy transformation.
No Time to Waste: Building Capacity for Climate Change Resilience
The impacts of climate change–those expected in the coming decades and those already manifesting—demand swift and effective action for communities that will be most affected. Resilience projects envisioned are set to generate billions of dollars of work over the next decade as the region prepares for what is to come. However, we must also consider the devastating cost of doing nothing to protect communities from climate disasters. Agency thought leaders and decisionmakers involved in protecting the region from storms and other climate extremes will discuss programs in motion that will keep LA County infrastructure safe and resilient.
Panelists Rita Kampalath, Chief Sustainability Officer, LA County
Cris Liban, Chief Sustainability Officer, METRO
Bonnie Nixon, Director of Sustainability, Long Beach Container Terminal
Project Delivery Alternatives—Potential and Pitfalls
California recently approved alternative project delivery methods such as Progressive Design-Build and Construction Manager-General Contractor/Construction Manager at Risk.
Top managers at agencies that have used these approaches and others such as integrated Project Delivery and Partnering will share their insights in both learning curves experienced and
efficiencies gained
Mai Hattar, Assistant Group Manager, Engineering Services, Metropolitan Water District
Sharon Gookin, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Office of the CEO, LA Metro
Opening Remarks
Secretary Toks Omishakin, California Dept. Of Transportation
Emcee
Signatories
Selwyn Hollins, Los Angeles County Internal Services Department
Matt Crane, Executive Vice President and Regional Chief Executive, AECOM
Wilbur C. Milhouse III, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Milhouse Engineering & Construction
Terry Ruhl, Board Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, H.W. Lochner
Gene Seroka, CEO, Port of Los Angeles