LA Metro Awards FlatironDragados Two Preconstruction Contracts Worth $17.5M

LOS ANGELES — FlatironDragados, a powerhouse in U.S. infrastructure delivery, has been selected by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) to spearhead preconstruction services on two major projects that will reshape rail service in Southern California.

The contracts, announced on Aug. 28, are valued at a combined $17.5 million for preconstruction, with overall construction costs for both projects expected to reach $900 million, according to Alex Medyn, FlatironDragados vice president and district manager.

Union Station Modernization Moves Forward

The first contract, valued at $7 million, supports early design and construction planning for the Link Union Station project. Union Station, Southern California’s busiest multimodal transit hub, is a critical link for Amtrak, Metrolink, and Metro Rail services.

The modernization effort will introduce “run-through tracks” on an elevated rail yard, eliminating the station’s current stub-end configuration. Once complete, trains will be able to enter and exit from both ends of the station, dramatically increasing operational flexibility.

The improvements are expected to:

• Boost station capacity by up to 200%.
• Reduce congestion and delays.
• Improve regional transit connectivity.
• Prepare the corridor for future California High-Speed Rail service.

While LA Metro estimates the project at $1.6 billion, costs and timelines have shifted as design has progressed.

Southeast Gateway Line Enabling Project

The second contract, awarded jointly to FlatironDragados and Herzog, is valued at $10.5 million. This preconstruction effort covers the Southeast Gateway Line Enabling project, a crucial early phase for LA Metro’s planned Southeast Gateway light rail line.

The enabling project will involve relocating heavy freight rail lines and utilities to make way for the new light rail corridor, which will link downtown Los Angeles with southeast LA County. Plans include:

• A new Metro light rail and freight bridge.
• A new Metro station near the I-105 freeway.
• Major utility relocations and freight line adjustments.

The full construction phase is projected to exceed $500 million.

Negotiating Toward Fixed Pricing

Medyn said FlatironDragados will estimate costs at three stages — 30%, 60%, and 90% design completion — before entering negotiations with LA Metro for a firm, fixed-price contract.

“If we cannot agree with Metro on a price, they reserve the right to off-ramp us,” Medyn explained. “Fortunately, we have a good track record of successfully negotiating these contracts.”

Part of a Bigger National Push

Since Flatiron and Dragados merged in July 2024, the combined entity has been aggressively building its U.S. footprint. In addition to the LA Metro work, the company recently:

• Secured a $1 billion Long Bridge North contract in Washington, D.C. with Skanska.
• Won the $414 million Franconia-Springfield Bypass project in Virginia with Herzog.

Together, these wins highlight the company’s growing role in rail and transit infrastructure at a time when agencies nationwide are leveraging federal funding for modernization and expansion.

Originally reported by Matthew Thibault in Construction Dive.