Construction Starts on East San Fernando Valley Rail
Los Angeles business owners along the route should prepare for years of transit disruptions and potential labor shifts.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Construction
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Skanska and Stacy Witbeck have broken ground on the $2.43 billion East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit project. The 6.7-mile rail line, which includes 11 stations and a 26-acre maintenance facility, is designed to enhance transit mobility across the region.
Why it matters
Large-scale infrastructure projects drive regional economic activity and change long-term commute patterns, forcing local businesses to adjust for shifting customer traffic and labor market availability.
The project represents a $1.9 billion contract awarded to the joint venture, with Skanska holding a $957 million share of the total $2.43 billion cost. The rail line will span 6.7 miles, connecting 11 stations and a 26-acre maintenance facility.
The players
Skanska
A global project development and construction group specializing in large-scale infrastructure and commercial building projects.
Stacy Witbeck
A heavy civil construction firm that frequently partners on complex transportation and light rail infrastructure.
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
The public agency responsible for planning, coordinating, and operating transit services across Los Angeles County.
The details
The construction process involves extensive utility relocation and the installation of new shade structures throughout the corridor. To support the local workforce, the joint venture has launched the San Fernando Transit Constructors Careers Academy, which will provide professional development and training for residents during the build.
Timeline
August 2026: Skanska announced the contract win.
October 26, 2026: The joint venture broke ground on the project.
Early 2032: Construction is scheduled for completion.
Market Landscape
This project serves as a key component of the LA Metro long-range transportation plan designed to modernize the region's transit infrastructure. It follows a established pattern of joint-venture partnerships between Skanska and Stacy Witbeck on previous Southern California transit builds.
Local business owners should prepare for long-term construction impacts to traffic flow and utility access along the 6.7-mile corridor through 2032. Operators may also consider engaging with the newly launched careers academy as a potential pipeline for hiring local talent.
The takeaway
Large transit projects create multi-year disruption cycles that require proactive logistics and supply chain planning. Operators should track the project schedule to align service delivery with expected traffic changes as the line nears its anticipated 2032 completion date.
Further reading
For context on infrastructure development in the region, see Construction.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Construction Dive.
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