Location Southern California, U.S.
Client Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA)
Services Project Management
Project Value $10 billion
The SCORE program is a phased series of capital improvement projects throughout SCRRA’s Metrolink commuter rail system, which comprises 547 miles of track and 67 stations in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, and North San Diego counties. The program aims to deliver more frequent and reliable service and enhance safety and sustainability throughout the system prior to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, allowing residents and visitors from around the world to access the games via Metrolink. SCORE projects will add new double track and siding track; replace grade crossings, signals, and other system components; improve stations and surrounding infrastructure; complete required maintenance; and more.
Through SCORE, SCRRA also aims to deliver lasting legacy benefits that advance Metrolink’s vision to be Southern California’s preferred transportation system, facilitate the region’s long-term economic growth, and help achieve the State of California’s sustainability goals. According to a Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) study, the SCORE program will create more than 100,000 jobs before 2028 and more than 1 million jobs by 2050. The LAEDC study also estimated SCORE would enable $1.7 trillion in regional economic output and, by incentivizing public transit use, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 million metric tons by 2078. Additionally, grade-crossing improvements will enable more quiet zones, reducing noise pollution throughout Metrolink’s service area.
Through an on-call contract with SCRRA, Hill is providing project management services for multiple SCORE projects, including the Link Union Station (Link US) project, as well as BNSF and RCTC projects.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s approximately $3 billion Link US project involves the renovation and modernization of Los Angeles Union Station, an iconic transit hub and the busiest passenger rail station in the Western U.S. Originally constructed in 1939, Union Station is located in the heart of Los Angeles and serves as a hub for Metrolink’s system, as well as Amtrak and Metro. The phased Link US project is funded in part by SCORE. It will deliver a new concourse at Union Station and enable run-through service by constructing tracks on a new viaduct over Highway 101. At around $1 billion, Phase A comprises utility relocations, rail construction, communications and signaling systems work, and the construction of the new viaduct structure. Additional phases will deliver new lead tracks, an elevated rail yard, new platforms, new vertical circulation, and additional passenger retail amenities. These efforts will increase Union Station’s capacity before the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, enable the station to serve the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s anticipated high-speed rail system, and improve ridership experiences for Metrolink, Amtrak, Metro, and High-Speed Rail passengers.
Representing SCRRA, the Hill team is coordinating work and managing interfaces with ridership, regulatory agencies, utilities, and other transit agencies to promote a successful construction program, confirm adherence with SCRRA’s goals for the overall SCORE program, and reduce construction’s impact on Union Station operations.
Through the BNSF task order, Hill is managing multiple projects along the San Bernardino Subdivision, a BNSF-owned alignment from San Bernardino to Los Angeles. The projects will help enhance safety, reliability, and capacity for freight and passenger operators using the rail line. For Hill, each BNSF project has two parts: Part 1 encompasses design and environmental clearance review, and Part 2 encompasses program management. Our objective is to monitor and make certain that each BNSF project meets SCRRA’s strategic objectives for the overall SCORE program. This includes promoting adherence to Metrolink standards for the relocation and modification of communications, signaling, and positive trail control systems; compliance with all federal, state, and local environmental requirements; and on-budget, on-schedule delivery. The Hill team is communicating early and often with third-party stakeholders to facilitate right-of-way acquisitions and temporary construction easements and prevent scope creep.
