Team Chosen to Build, Operate LAX Automated People Mover
Los Angeles World Airports said the LINXS proposal had the highest technical score and the lowest cost proposal of the three teams that participated in the procurement process. LAWA now will present a 30-year contract valued at approximately $4.5 billion to the board of commissioners and Los Angeles City Council for approval.
The Board of Commissioners of Los Angeles World Airports has approved LAX Integrated Express Solutions (LINXS) as the Recommended Developer and has initiated the first agreement between the parties. The agreement starts the process toward full contract approval by the board and the Los Angeles City Council in April, a contract that will encompass the design, construction, financing, operation, and maintenance of the Automated People Mover at LAX.
The agency said the LINXS proposal had the highest technical score and the lowest cost proposal of the three teams that participated in the procurement process. LAWA will present a 30-year contract valued at approximately $4.5 billion to the board and city council for approval, and the contract will include milestone payments for the design and construction phases and will authorize future payments for operating and maintaining the transit system for the contract period.
The LINXS team members have extensive experience building and operating APMs domestically and internationally. The rail provider is Bombardier Transportation, which has been involved in operating many APM systems in the United States and for Dubai, Heathrow, and Munich. Also involved are Fluor, Balfour Beatty, ACS Infrastructure Development, Dragados USA, HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions, and Flatiron, as well as the design team comprised of HDR and HNTB. Bombardier Transportation will provide the APM Operating System and all vehicles.
"Los Angeles relies on LAX to power our economy forward — that's why we're making historic investments to ensure it remains one of the most passenger-friendly airports in the world," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Feb. 15. "Today's recommendation brings us one step closer to a people mover that will provide Angelenos and travelers from everywhere with reliable, convenient transportation to and from the terminals."
The board's president, Sean Burton, said LINXS "presented a superior technical proposal for a project that is both innovative and iconic and will also relieve traffic congestion, which furthers our goal of continually improving the experience for our guests."
The board approved on Feb. 15 an Early Works Agreement with LINXS, valued at up to $42 million, that will allow pre-construction activities such as hiring, soil testing, engineering, and furthering design of the APM. LAWA said that contract approval is important to maintain the schedule to complete the APM project in 2023.
The agency also said the LINXS proposal promises to delive an environmentally friendly project. The landscaping will be drought tolerant using California native plants, construction of the maintenance facility will achieve at least LEED Silver certification, and the team has committed to the use of more solar power than what was required.