Purple Line (D Line) Subway Extension Project, Since 2010
Project Description
Being the biggest public works project in the West Coast, at a budget of $9 billion, the Metro Purple Line (D Line) Extension Transit Project is a critical link in the Los Angeles County (LA) transit network serving the westside cities with seven new stations and over 9 miles of tunnels. This will provide a safe, reliable, and affordable high-speed connection between downtown Los Angeles and one of LA’s busiest areas, the Westside, which are the two largest job centers in LA. transportation. This is also one of the “28 for 28” high-profile projects funded by METRO and the Federal government for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Since 2010, ADVANTEC has been one of the civil engineering team members on the WSP Team who spearheaded the design of the subway. Under the direction of Ashok Kothari, the WSP team has built subways in New York and London, and continued to bring their success to LA, ADVANTEC has participated with the Advanced Preliminary Engineering for this project, leading to 3 separate Design-Build contracts for the final design and construction. Initially, ADVANTEC’s was responsible for responding to traffic comments and issues for the Final EIR, construction haul route analysis from each of the 7 subway stations, reviewing traffic control plans, resolving utility “clash” detection using REVIT CAD, developing vehicle/tunnel design envelopes, and providing construction engineering oversight. ADVANTEC supported WSP in establishing and maintaining liaison with METRO, Caltrans District 7, the City of Los Angeles DOT, BSS, BSL and BOE and the City of Beverly Hills. Construction began on the Purple Line in 2019 and it is being built in three sections across the nearly nine-mile route: 1) Wilshire/La Brea Station, Wilshire/Fairfax Station and Wilshire/La Cienega Station through LA and Beverly Hills, scheduled to open in 2024; 2) Wilshire/Rodeo Station and Century City Constellation Station, scheduled to open in 2025; and 3) Westwood/UCLA Station and Westwood/VA Hospital Station, scheduled to open in 2027.
At this time, ADVANTEC is providing engineering support with full-time Engineers working in the construction Site Office and also providing design liaison in the Design Office. We have participated in regular coordination meetings with local agencies and in construction update meetings between the Design-Build Team, LA Metro, and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) staff. Wilshire/Rodeo Station is in the business triangle of the City of Beverley Hills. The station plazas will provide connections to local bus routes, bicycle hubs, and pedestrian destinations of interest. This station will provide access to the golden triangle, luxury hotels, Rodeo Drive, 2Rodeo, office buildings, and local neighborhoods.
Century City Constellation Station is in Century City and will provide access to Century City Westfield Mall, office space, local bus routes and commuter bus routes. This station has two adjacent developments, one nearing completion and the other starting construction next year. Close coordination with the adjacent developers has been necessary to create a harmonious street scape that is welcoming to the public.
For Section 1, ADVANTEC has a full-time staff member on the construction site to help resolve construction issues. ADVANTEC’s handling of construction engineering oversight logs have been documented for their thoroughness on the FTA website, and it has resulted in significant cost savings and compliments from METRO.
For Section 2, ADVANTEC staff has performed project studies, and maintained construction progress review in conjunction with Metro. Project Studies included developing tunnel alignment studies to avoid anomalies, design verification letters for pavement design, in addition to continuing to coordinate third-party design and construction scheduling issues, interdisciplinary clash detection, and design and claim reviews and responses. Additionally, ADVANTEC coordinated with adjacent developer for the design and construction progress with the Metro final structure and plaza entrance. We have worked hard to keep the project on schedule while verifying the contractor meets the contract requirements.
For Section 3 ADVANTEC helped to develop the preliminary engineering design documents in addition to studies for construction sequencing, excavation support, geologic profile creation, utility research, utility relocation design, interdisciplinary clash detection, and detention basin design.
ADVANTEC wants to thank WSP and METRO in helping small businesses like ours to gain valuable experience in a major subway project like the Purple Line. METRO has established a 20% SBE and DBE participation early on, and WSP has exceeded that goal consistently!
Key Features:
Use of Revit CAD for utility "clash" detection at station boxes.
Developed vehicle/tunnel design envelope
Construction engineering oversight along Section 1 Design Build segment
METRO design and construction oversight experience on $9 billion project (Sections 1, 2 and 3)