Bridging LA's Transit Divides: Skanska USA Civil and The Regional Connector
Skanska USA Civil, one of the largest construction companies in the world, recently completed The Regional Connector, located in downtown Los Angeles. Spanning about 1.9 miles of underground track light rail, this system acts as a vital link connecting existing metro lines. This underground link connects the current Metro Gold Line, Metro Blue Line and Metro Expo Line light rail networks and has transformed the regional light rail, establishing a line that runs from Long Beach to Azusa, and a line extending from Santa Monica to East LA.
The public infrastructure project took eight years to complete. Aside from the sheer size of the project, Skanska faced challenges along the way, which increased with the global pandemic. The project was executed in several phases, each with its own challenges and specifics. The initial phase involved utility relocation and mass excavation. While the mass earthwork during this phase was self-performed by Skanska, it required roughly 70 subcontractors. Subsequent phases, such as the mass concrete phase, involved a mix of self-performed tasks and tasks assigned to specialized contractors — especially those adhering to union requirements.
The Regional Connector, beyond its technical complexity, posed numerous logistical challenges. Located in bustling downtown Los Angeles, the project required careful coordination with several agencies, like the Department of Transportation and the Bureau of Engineering. Traffic control plans and permits had to be constantly updated and managed. Moreover, managing the design alongside ongoing construction activities, like utility relocations and tunneling, demanded significant expertise. Challenges intensified with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the execution of the project, Skanska began leveraging Procore. The transition to Procore began around 2018, starting with the implementation of the drawings tool. This tool, along with others, such as the Reports tool, Dashboard feature, and Forms tool, proved crucial in managing the project's intricate details. Specifically, for the Regional Connector, Skanska managed a whopping 5,794 punch list using Procore, underscoring the project's vastness and the importance of efficient project management tools in handling such large-scale operations.
Thanks to expertise and determination, and with some help from technology, Skanska was able to execute a finished product that will serve the Los Angeles community for decades to come.
