The $898-million Gold Line light-rail extension project in Los Angeles is proceeding full-speed ahead, with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials hoping the toughest challenges are behind them. Two 1.7-mile-long, 21-ft-diameter twin tunnels were completed Dec. 9, featuring the first use of a double-gasketed, convex-convex joint system to keep them functional in a seismic event.

Greg Aragon Completion of twin tunnels shifts work to stations.

“For the next two years, our focus will be on the underground stations and the completion of five miles of at-grade rail work,” says Mike Aparicio, project manager for Eastside LRT Constructors, a team of Washington Group International, Obayashi Corp. and Shimmick Construction Corp. It holds the $600-million design-build contract for the six-mile-long project. A joint venture of Traylor Brothers/Frontier Kemper led the $130-million tunneling subcontract.

After two years of debate, Metro agreed last October to contribute $35 million to help Ramona Opportunity High School build a new $48-million campus, says Rick Thorpe, chief capital management officer with Metro. The alignment impacts one original school building. Of the $35 million, $12 million will come from the project budget and the rest from the state-funded Transportation Congestion Relief Program (TCRP). A construction contract will be awarded next summer.

The extension of the 13.7-mile Pasadena Gold Line, when completed in late 2009, will link downtown Los Angeles to East Los Angeles.