Gold Line Gets Two-fer: Most Techie and Cheapest Contractor

As expected, the Gold Line awarded a $485.9 million contract to "Foothill Transit Constructors – A Kiewit Parsons Joint Venture," to design and construct the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension from Pasadena to Azusa.

The Kiewit/Parsons team was both the top ranked technical proposal and the lowest bid, according to Construction Authority Board Chairman and Glendora Mayor Doug Tessitor.

According to the Gold Line press release: "Kiewit and Parsons have teamed up nearly 20 times in the last decade to complete design-build projects and have designed and built more than 60 major infrastructure projects in the last forty years. Both are award-winning companies, providing world-renowned experience in successful completion of light rail transit projects.

"Kiewit was the lead team member on Phase 1 of the Gold Line from Los Angeles to Pasadena (with Parsons as the lead design subcontractor), which was completed in 2003 on time and under budget. Kiewit also recently oversaw demolition of the Mulholland Bridge (part of the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvement Project)."

According to Gold Line spokesman Habib Balian, "The Kiewit Parsons proposal was $72 million less than the next highest proposer and $123 million less than the highest price proposal."

- Brad Haugaard