Patrick M

Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) Project

by

The latest

Survey operations for the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project are currently underway.

N-Sea, a Netherlands-based underwater solutions provider, recently revealed that it has collaborated with ship owner Rederij Groe to carry out the works. According to N-Sea, the two companies have transformed the seismic support vessel, 7-Waves, into a research vessel equipped with advanced equipment for this project.

“The survey operations are being carried out with a reduced crew on board the vessel and all data is transferred to the N-Sea data center onshore. Daily meetings are also being held with the client’s representative, the FEED engineer, the client, and the company’s data processors to assess data quality and route alignment,” said N-Sea in a statement.

Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (“NMGP”) project overview

The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (“NMGP”) is a new regional onshore and offshore gas pipeline that is intended to deliver natural gas resources of Nigeria to 13 countries in West and North Africa as a continuation of the existing West Africa Gas Pipeline (“WAGP”) between Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Ghana.

Also Read: Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project timeline and all you need to know

Starting from Nigeria, the 5,660 kilometers long NMGP will pass through Benin, Togo, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Senegal, and Mauritania, to end at Tangiers, a Moroccan port on the Strait of Gibraltar, with a possible extension to Europe through Spain.

The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project is estimated to cost US$ 25bn and it will be completed in stages over 25 years.

Nigerian Gas – A Vanishing Opportunity? - Low Carbon Engineering

The project falls in line with the “Decade of Gas Master Plan” that Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari launched in 2020. The master plan seeks to bolster Nigeria’s gas production and gas exports.

On the Moroccan side, this landmark project is part of the South-South cooperation upheld by King Mohammed VI. It is expected to create a competitive regional power market and benefit all West African people, countries, and their economies.

Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project timeline 

2016

The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project was proposed in December 2016 following the signing of an agreement between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Moroccan Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM) or rather than the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines.

2017

In August, NNPC and ONHYM began conducting a feasibility study for the project.

2019

Phase 1 scope of the Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) of the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2019. This is according to Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Dr. Ibe Kachikwu.

Speaking during the Nigeria International Petroleum Summit (NIPS) held in Abuja, the Minister said that the NMGP designed to be 5,660km long, will reduce gas flaring in Nigeria and encourage diversification of energy resources in the country.

“This pipeline will help in the industrialization of these countries. It will also meet the needs of consumers for heating and other uses. We see gas as a fuel to take Africa to the next level. New gas discoveries have been recorded offshore Senegal, Mauritania, and Mozambique and are in various stages of development,” said Dr. Ibe Kachikwu.

Also Read:Uganda and Tanzania to sign US $3.5bn pipeline deal

Nigeria- Morocco gas pipeline project

The two countries had June signed agreements, for a regional gas pipeline that will see Nigeria providing gas to countries in the West Africa sub-region that extend to Morocco and Europe.

FEED is the basic engineering that comes after the conceptual design or feasibility study. The feasibility study of the gas pipeline that will traverse at least 15 West African countries and connect the existing Europe gas pipeline has been concluded and the pre-FID (final investment decision) greenfield optimization study is currently ongoing.

Additionally, the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) is seeking to mobilize about US $2bn of resources to fund critical areas of infrastructural collaboration within Africa. APPO made up of 18 member oil-producing countries, accounts for nearly 95% of Africa’s oil production and at least 13% of world production.

2020

In March, the front-end engineering & design entered the second phase.

Feb 2021

Commitment to the construction of the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline

Morocco agrees south-south gas pipeline with Nigeria | Atalayar - Las claves del mundo en tus manos

The Royal Cabinet of Morocco has revealed that King Mohammed VI and Muhammadu Buhari, the President of the Republic of Nigeria have recently affirmed their commitment to the construction of the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline.

The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline was conceived back in December 2016 through an agreement between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Moroccan Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (National Board of Hydrocarbons and Mines) (ONHYM).

The pipeline will connect Nigerian gas to every coastal country in the West Africa region i.e. Benin, Togo, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Senegal, and Mauritania, and end at Tangiers, Morocco, a distance of about 5,660 kilometers.

Also Read: Phase1 of Nigeria- Morocco gas pipeline project nears completion

Basically, it will be an extension of the existing West African Gas Pipeline, which already connects Nigeria with Benin, Togo, and Ghana.

The gas pipeline will also be connected to the existing infrastructure in order to serve Spain through Cádiz.

Progress made so far

Reportedly, in August 2017 the NNPC and ONHYM had begun a feasibility study for the pipeline. The study was completed in January 2019, and in the same month, the two countries contracted with Penspen Engineering company to conduct the first phase of front-end engineering & design.

By March last year, the front-end engineering & design had entered the second phase.

The project is planned to be completed in stages over a 25-year period.

Expectations for the project

The Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline is expected to improve access to energy across the West Africa region.

This will help address one of the region’s most significant barriers to development, which is the lack of affordable energy, and consequently facilitate the expansion of sectors ranging from industry to food processing and fertilizers, and improve the competitiveness of exports amongst the African countries.

In addition, the project will strengthen energy exports to Europe.

June 2021

Construction of Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline kicks off

Construction of the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline has kicked off. Chief Operating Officer of the gas and power of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Yusuf Usman announced the start of the project.

The commencing of the project follows the recent commitment to the construction by Morocco’s President King Mohammed VI and Muhammadu Buhari, the President of the Republic of Nigeria. The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline was conceived in 2016 through an agreement between the NNPC and the Moroccan Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (National Board of Hydrocarbons and Mines) (ONHYM).

“Feasibility studies have been completed, paving the way for the start of a kind of vision that is set to lift Africa,” said Mr. Usman.

Access to energy across the West Africa region

The project falls in line with the “Decade of Gas Master Plan” that Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari launched in 2020, which seeks to bolster Nigeria’s gas production and gas exports despite a global transition to clean energy.

On the Moroccan side, this landmark project is part of the South-South cooperation upheld by King Mohammed VI. It is expected to create a competitive regional power market and benefit all West African people, countries, and their economies. The project sets to add to Morocco’s growing list of African trade deals, securing its position as an African economic leader.

August 2021

Nigeria’s Petroleum Minister, Timipre Sylva, announced that the government of Nigeria is contemplating supplying Europe with their gas using the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline.

October 2021

Morocco was planning to create a public company to manage the scheme involving the supply of natural gas from Nigeria through a pipeline that will cross over several African countries.

The Moroccan Energy Ministry, which will be in charge of developing domestic gas infrastructure and networks in the North African Arab country also applauded plans for the company creation.

“Arrangements are ongoing to set up a company for gas network development in Morocco and to supervise the scheme to construct a gasoline from Nigeria, which will become Africa’s largest gas infrastructure project,” Morocco’s Economy and Finance Ministry stated.

Nov 2021

Morocco concludes plans for Morocco-Nigeria Gas Pipeline Project

The Government of Morocco recently announced that it has concluded its plans/preparations for the development of the proposed Morocco-Nigeria Gas Pipeline (MNGP) or the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP).

The country also mentioned that it has set up a downstream division of the Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM), a public organization representing the interests of the Kingdom of Morocco in the field of Exploration and Production of Hydrocarbons and Mining resources, and which is in charge of the NMGP project.

The North African country is also building networks to distribute gas to industry hubs where the automobile and aeronautics industries are expanding. Reportedly, the industrial sector in Morocco is growing fast and gas will be an important part of this growth.

Extension of gas transit agreement for supplies of Algerian gas in GME pipeline

In other related news, Naturgy Energy Group S.A a Spanish multinational natural gas and electrical energy utilities company that was formerly known as Gas Natural Fenosa on November 10 that it was in talks with Morocco and Algeria to potentially achieve an extension of the gas transit agreement for supplies of Algerian gas in the Gaz-Maghreb-Europe (GME) pipeline via Morocco to Spain.

Reportedly, gas deliveries through the GME pipeline fell to zero on November 1st after the long-term transit deal between Algeria and Morocco was not renewed ahead of its expiry on October 31st.

There are alleged reports that Morocco, which has estimated its resources at some 300 Tcf of conventional and unconventional gas in place, could replace lost gas from Algeria to Spain through the Morocco-Nigeria Gas Pipeline.

December 2021

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) agreed to fund 50% of the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) Study for the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project. The multilateral development finance institution focused on Islamic finance will support the Moroccan contribution and participate in the financing of the project with US$ 15.4M under the “Service Ijara” operation.

For Nigeria, the IsDB will contribute US$ 29.7M to the FEED study which aims at preparing the required studies for the gas pipeline and help take the final investment decision by 2023 for the infrastructure project.

The IsDB funding will help carry out the environment & social impact study in order to ensure the project’s compliance with all local and international environmental and social regulations and standards. It will also finance land acquisition studies for agreeing with all countries to be crossed by the pipeline to ensure smooth implementation of the works at a later stage.

May 2022

OFID, Worley to Contribute to Phase 2 FEED of Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project

OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) is set to contribute US$ 14.3M to fund the implementation of the second phase of the NMGP (Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline) project’s Front End Engineering Study (FEED). 

This is after the intergovernmental development finance institution established back in 1976 by the Member States of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, signed a financing agreement with Morocco. The agreement was particularly signed by Nadia Fettah, the North African country’s minister of economy and finance, OPEC managing director, Abdulhamid Al khalifa, and the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) managing director, Amina Benkhadra.

With this agreement, the OPEC Fund strengthens its financial cooperation links with Morocco and contributes to the Kingdom’s economic and social dynamics by supporting the NMGP (Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline) project, which is an example of South-South collaboration.

Worley to carry out the 2nd phase of the NMGP project’s FEED

WorleyParsons Limited, an Australian engineering company that provides project delivery and consulting services to the resources and energy sectors, and complex process industries, that was branded as Worley after completing the acquisition of Jacobs’ Energy, Chemicals & Resources division, will carry out the second phase of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) co-funded NMGP (Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline) project’s Front End Engineering Study (FEED). 

Worley’s offshore engineering consultant subsidiary, Intecsea, situated in The Hague, Netherlands, will be in charge of the entire FEED services which the development of a project implementation framework as well as engineering survey monitoring.

The company’s team in London, UK, will be responsible for the onshore FEED scope, as well as the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and Land Acquisition Studies (LAS), with the help of Worley’s network of offices in Africa and its global integrated delivery group in Hyderabad, India.

Worley’s consulting business, Advisian, will look into speeding electrification and the possibility of the region’s energy self-sufficiency.

Firms Selected to Conduct phase II FEED study of NMGP Project

Two consulting firms have been chosen to conduct phase II of the FEED (Front End Engineering Design) study of the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) Project. The firms in question are the ILF Group and DORIS Engineering.

ILF is an international engineering and consulting firm that helps its clients successfully execute technically demanding industrial and infrastructure projects. DORIS on the other hand is the “international reference for delivering high-quality engineering to the oil & gas and renewable markets.”

The ILF and DORIS studies will focus on the onshore & offshore pipeline and compressor station engineering. It will also focus on the engineering surveys, the environmental & social impact assessment (ESIA) and land acquisition studies (LAS), and the project implementation framework.

FEC allows NNPC Ltd to sign an MoU with ECOWAS for the NMGP Project

This appointment comes a few days after the Federal Executive Council (FEC), allowed NNPC Ltd to sign a memorandum of understanding with ECOWAS for the implementation of the project.

Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, briefed State House officials on the decision following the FEC meeting at the Presidential Palace in Abuja, which was led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Read also: Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) Project Updates

The minister revealed that the Nigeria-Morocco pipeline project was still in the early stages of engineering design, after which the project’s estimated cost would be determined. According to him, the pipeline will supply Nigerian gas to 15 countries in West Africa, up to Morocco, and then to Spain and Europe via the Kingdom.

Sep 2022

Morocco-Nigeria Gas Pipeline project to benefit 340 million people

Morocco has stated that the Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline project will positively affect more than 340 million people. This transpired at the symposium in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, titled “A New Vision to Accelerate Production and Investment in the Context of Energy Transition.”

Amina Benkhadra, the general director of Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons & Mines (ONHYM), said, “More than 340 million people would directly benefit from this massive initiative that crosses 13 nations. The research and development of this project will take into account all the nations that the pipeline will pass through.”

Also Read:  Plans underway for construction of wind-powered desalination plant in Morocco

Amina further stated that the project, which is still in the thorough engineering study phase, “Will contribute to the emergence of the integrated northwest African area. The line also intends to exploit sustainable energy and build a competitive regional electricity market. Similarly, the line will support the industrial and economic growth of every nation it passes through.

Amina clarified that this would be accomplished through the development of many sectors, such as agriculture, industry, and mining. This is in addition to exporting gas to Europe.

Dec 2022

ECOWAS ready to fully support Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline

The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) expressed determination to provide its full backing for the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project.

ECOWAS Commissioner in charge of Infrastructure, Energy; and Digitalization Sediko Douka said, “I applaud the two nations for having a vision of the future that will unmistakably secure our region’s energy independence and the fostering of South-South cooperation.”

The ECOWAS executive further stated that the steering committee and technical committee of the project, among other statutory organizations, will meet shortly for its implementation. Additionally, he highlighted the fact that the initiative is timely given the shortage of energy production infrastructure in the ECOWAS area.

Douka said, “Our energy need is only 60% met. With a costly tariff of USD0.24/kWh and a low access rate of 53%.”

Douka delivered his remarks a day after King Mohammed VI’s speech that commemorated the 47th anniversary of the Green March. The monarch reaffirmed Morocco’s support for the initiative during his speech. Which will allow Africa to produce energy independently and be self-sufficient.

The king said, “I want this to be a strategic initiative that helps the entire population of West Africa. Which is over 440 million strong.

Also Read: Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) Project Updates

Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline to ensure peace for African economic integration and for co-development

Additionally, he emphasized that the project will ensure peace for African economic integration and for co-development. The Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline, according to Douka, will allow member states that produce natural gas to profit from it. And the use of gas for domestic purposes, echoing the King’s support for the project.

In September, the ECOWAS Commission inked an agreement with Nigeria’s National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and Morocco’s National Directorate of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONYUM). The agreement is a component of the pipeline’s construction architecture. Mobilizing resources to make the project’s development and implementation possible as a single work.

The $25 billion project will cover 5,600 kilometers spanning over 11 countries along the Atlantic coast. With a goal of helping more than 340 million people.     Morocco will host 1,672 kilometers of the pipeline, connecting it to Europe through Spain. At a time when the continent may be trying to diversify its energy supplies

Latest Updates on Los Angeles Airport (LAX) Modernization Project, USA

by

Officials from LAX recently opened Terminal 4.5 Core as the first major component to complete as part of a $1.62 billion project at the 60-year-old Terminals 4 and 5. The public can now access Terminal 4.5 Core, a hub between Terminals 4 and 5.

Passengers can use elevators, escalators, and stairs to go between the Lower/Arrivals and Upper/Departures levels on the pre-security side. Moreover, the building has direct access to the check-in area and baggage claim of Terminal 5. The Terminal 4.5 Core will offer direct connectivity to the Terminal 4 baggage claim, check-in, and security screening checkpoint.

Further, upon completion of the entire Terminal 4/5 Modernization project, it will offer access to the future Automated People Mover (APM) train’s West Central Terminal Area station. They will pass through a pedestrian walkway and a post-security connection between Terminals 4 and 5.

Also Read: Green light shown for construction of Stockdale capital medical office in Los Angeles, California

Construction on the Terminal 4.5 Core project began in July 2019 and was finished on schedule. Furthermore, more than 3,100 people contributed over 1.16 million hours to the project. Additionally, it is anticipated to receive LEED Silver certification from the US Green Building Council (USGBC). It has emphasized energy efficiency, reduction of indoor water use, and accessibility to high-quality transit.

The upcoming Los Angeles Airport (LAX) Modernization project phase

The western section of the Terminal 4 headhouse and the south concourse is included in the upcoming phase of the Terminal 4/5 Modernization project, which is scheduled to be finished in 2024.

“The launch of the Terminal 4.5 Core is a thrilling first step toward the total redesign of Terminals 4 and 5. Additionally, it will make it possible for visitors to go through our facilities quickly. This will speed up their trip process.

According to Justin Erbacci, CEO of Los Angeles World Airports, “We would want to thank American Airlines for their partnership and commitment to the modernization of our airport (LAWA).

Reported earlier

Nov 2020

New US $335m infrastructure to be built at LA International Airport in the US under a project dubbed Los Angeles Airport (LAX) modernization

Skanska has signed a contract with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) to serve as the design-builder for the airport authority’s Roadways, Utilities and Enabling (RUE) project. The contract is worth US $335m.

RUE project

The RUE project supports the next phase of high-priority enabling work for LAWA’s Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP), which aims to relieve congestion for people traveling to and from the third busiest airport in the world and the second busiest in the US.

This enabling work is critical for advancing LAMP projects including the Automated People Mover (APM), Consolidated Rent-A-Car (ConRAC) facility, and Intermodal Transportation Facility (ITF)-West.

Construction begins in Q4 2020 with completion expected in Q4 2025. Arup is the lead designer.

March 2021

LAX airport US$17.3mn renovation on runway and taxiways, LA

A runway and two taxiways on the south side of the LAX airport are scheduled to undergo a US$17.3 million renovation but travelers are not expected to be affected.

Sully-Miller Contracting Co. has announced they will remove about 6,000 feet of the runway’s asphalt surface, as well as Taxiways H6 and H7. They will also install new energy-efficient LED runway centerline lights and replace the runway concrete approach slabs at the bridge over Sepulveda Boulevard. The runway, which is typically used for arriving flights, will be temporarily closed during construction, which is expected to last a little over two months, but passengers are not expected to be noticeably impacted, and noise impacts should be minimal, LAX officials announced.

Runway 7R/25L is LAXs preferred runway for arriving aircraft, while parallel runway 7L/25R is the preferred choice for departures as it is closer to the terminal buildings. When 7R/25L is a non-operational runway, 7L/25R will handle both arriving and departing flights. Some arrivals may, however, be moved to the north runway complex.

Runway resurfacing work is usually done every 10 to 12 years as the runway’s surface reaches the end of the time span it was designed for. Because of runway 7R/25Ls location, noise impacts are expected to be minimal, and overnight over-ocean operations will not be affected.

“At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we challenged ourselves to use this time of a reduction in air traffic to complete repairs and airfield improvements more efficiently than ever before,” said Bernardo Gogna, chief development officer of Los Angeles World Airports.

“The replacement of the asphalt on Runway 7R/25L is an example of how we are investing in the long-term health of our airport and completing work that would have been much more disruptive if done when we were operating at full capacity.”

May 2021

LAX unveils new west gates 4 years after construction began

LAX has unveiled the new west gates, a 15-gate concourse after more than 4 years of construction. The US$1.73 billion concourse was constructed to serve both international and domestic flights as part of a US$14.5 billion modernization airport program.

The West Gates concourse is 518 meters long and is located west of the Tom Bradley International Terminal. It has five floors and is 750,000 square feet in total. Extensive use of natural light in the new gates and features like expanded seating areas, WiFi, and power outlets as well as advanced technology such as the use of biometrics involving having the passengers look into a camera, being matched with their data, and boarding the flight.

The 15 gates can cater to a variety of aircraft, depending on the size of the aircraft. The West Gates can serve 12 to 15 aircraft at once. To get to the gates, passengers can use the underground pedestrian tunnel from the TBIT.

“This is the newest and best facility we have and so for folks who wonder, this is smoother, better, newer, shinier. You can smell that new car smell still here, and together with Los Angeles Tourism, we’re investing in bringing people back to our state. If you’re vaccinated anywhere in the world come to Los Angeles. People who are vaccinated can come back and for people who’ve never visited before this is the time to come to Los Angeles.

LAX is our gateway to the world, a global crossroads where dreams take flight and where we welcome the future of our city with open arms. Completing the West Gates is the latest step in our unprecedented campaign to reimagine LAX ” said the Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti.

Construction of a light rail station at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) begins

Construction has begun on the light rail station at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The US$898.6 million station will directly connect Los Angeles International Airport to the region’s light rail and bus transportation systems. The station will have platforms to access Metro light-rail trains, a 16-bay bus plaza for Metro and municipal buses, a private vehicle bicycle zone, a drop-off zone, and commercial space.

The project is designed to be up and running in time for the 2028 Olympics. But more importantly, some officials see it as a potential turning point in Los Angeles’ ambitious, expensive efforts to make mass transit a serious alternative in a city known for its cars. The Airport Metro Connector project will serve as the ninth station along the Crenshaw/LAX Line and will connect to LAX’s under-construction people mover to deliver passengers directly to their terminal.

Visitors and residents in Los Angeles have complained for a long time about the city’s lack of a direct rail connection to the airport, the second-busiest airport in the nation. One 2018 study of transit access at U.S. airports ranked it near the bottom.

“This won’t just be the site of our new Crenshaw/LAX line station. We’re going to have a bus plaza here, with electric bus charging stations, because by 2030 all Metro buses will be electric and emissions-free. We’ll have a dedicated drop-off area here so you never have to go into that horseshoe unless you really want to see the theme building.” said the mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti during the ground-breaking ceremony.

“This is one of many projects that Measure M, the largest transportation initiative at the local level in American history times two, is doing throughout our county, including 15 transit lines that are either extending or building new, including the Crenshaw/LAX Line that will connect here and that will open very soon,” he added.

March 2022

Restoration project to renovate gate and lounge rooms and rebuild passenger boarding bridges in Terminal 6 at LAX launched

As part of the Los Angeles Airport US$ 14.5bn modernization project, crews have launched a US$ 230M restoration project to renovate gate and lounge rooms and rebuild passenger boarding bridges in Terminal 6 at LAX.

According to LAX, Alaska Airlines has been hired to supervise the makeover, which will also enhance visitor access to the US Customs and Border Protection’s Federal Inspection Station and modernize the Transportation Security Administration’s Security Screening Checkpoint.

There will be five automated screening lanes and three regular lanes at the new TSA checkpoint. When finished, the terminal will also include a drive-thru bus gate to improve the experience of passengers traveling to and from neighboring ports.

Overview of the Los Angeles Airport (LAX) Modernization project

The US$ 14.5bn airport modernization is the largest of its kind in the United States, and it includes a 2.25-mile Automated People Mover train system with six stations — three inside the Central Terminal Area and three outside the CTA — that will connect the train system to LA Metro and a car rental facility.

Officials anticipate that the rail system will be ready in 2023 and that the entire renovation project will be completed in time for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners proposed that the City Council approved US$1.067 billion for terminal 4 and 5 upgrades. Connecting the terminals to the Automated People Mover train, as well as adding new passenger check-in and baggage claim facilities, a consolidated security screening checkpoint, a new headhouse area for passenger processing, and a new post-security connection between the two terminals, are all part of the project.

“Terminal 6 renovation is a critical component of how we are enhancing the passenger experience at LAX via industry-leading investments in technology, services, and facilities. We are delighted to begin construction on this next terminal project with our partners at Alaska Airlines, as we seek to build a world-class airport for Los Angeles and our visitors “said Justin Erbacci, CEO of Los Angeles World Airports.

May 2022

LAX modernization project: Construction of Automated People Mover guideway structure completed

Construction work on an LAX Automated People Mover guideway structure, which is a part of the ongoing Los Angeles Airport (LAX) modernization project has been completed by LINXS Constructors, a joint venture team comprising Fluor, Dragados USA, Balfour Beatty, and Flatiron.

The completion of this guideway marks a major milestone in the development of a $4.9 billion mega infrastructure project scheduled for completion in 2023. 

LINXS began construction on the Automated People Mover guideway structure in November 2019, starting with the installation of the first set of underground support columns. The team completed the first column pours in January 2020 and also finished the first guideway segment pour in September of the same year.

A total of 69,700 cubic yards of concrete have been poured since the time construction commenced on the guideway structure up until its completion.

Features of LAX’s Automated People Mover

LAX’s Automated People Mover, which is being built under its Landside Access Modernization Programme, is a 2.25-mile electric train system featuring six stations, strategically positioned for easy accessibility and movement around the airport.

The project was initiated in 2018 under a public-private partnership, which awarded $2.7 billion to the developers for the design and construction.

Three of the stations for the LAX Automated People Mover will be located inside the central terminal area which connects to other terminals through elevated pedestrian walkways, while three other stations will be situated outside the central terminal area to connect to new off-site parking facilities, regional light rail transportation, and a rental car facility.

Mayor Eric Garcetti described the LAX Automated People Mover project as a historic investment in the future transportation system of Los Angeles. He mentioned that the project was so much more than just another means of commuting to LAX and it would play a huge role in easing up the congestion, which has been plaguing the airport for decades.

The President of Fluor’s infrastructure business, Thomas Nilsson also mentioned that the LAX Automated People Mover project was a crucial investment for the infrastructure of Los Angeles, especially since the city is currently making preparations to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028.

California High Speed Rail (CHSR) Project

by

California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) Board of Directors has approved a 90-mile section between San Jose and Merced in California, and signed off on the plans and environmental clearance for the rail line extension, which they estimated would become operational by 2031.

The extension project is intended to provide a bullet train line which will establish a connection between Northern and Southern California. This project is quite novel, as it is the first time the HRS board has made plans to extend train tracks to a coastal region. The new high-speed rail line is expected to connect Central Valley, a low-income region with affordable housing to Silicon Valley, a coastal region with higher-paying tech jobs.

This newly approved segment of the California High-Speed Rail project is part of the 500-mile Phase 1 rail development, intended to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles. According to the officials, the newly added Silicon Valley extension means that the first phase of the project has now gotten approval for nearly 400 miles.

Ongoing construction of the California High-Speed Rail extension project is taking place along 119 miles in the Central Valley at 35 active job sites and the project also covers modernizing and electrifying an already existing rail corridor located between San Jose and Gilroy, which will allow for the bullet rail line and Caltrans services.

A former chairman of the Rail Authority Board, Dan Richard said the California High-Speed Rail line would reduce the travel time for riders between Fresno and San Jose to about an hour, for a journey that would normally take three hours by car. He also added that the rail line extension would help to address the job and housing mismatch between disparate regions in California.

Sam Liccardo, the Mayor of San Jose described the California High-Speed Rail line, as a critically important project which would help the state expand economic opportunity and affordable housing, and he pointed out that these were important goals for the state.

Project overview

The California High-Speed Rail (CHSR) is a publicly funded high-speed rail system that is under construction in the U.S. state of California to connect the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center in Anaheim and Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles with the Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco via the Central Valley, a distance of 612 km.

The project the cost of which is US$ 84bn+, making it the most expensive railway project ever to be carried out in the North American country, is planned to eventually be extended to Sacramento and San Diego.

Construction kicked off in 2015, and the first phase is expected to have passengers moving in 2025, with subsequent portions opening in 2029. California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) will operate the system which will be dedicated, grade-separated tracks with speeds of up to 354 km/h.

Project Timeline

2015

Construction of the CHSR project kicked off

The construction of the CHSR project kicked off with the first phase of the project expected to have passengers moving in 2025, and subsequent portions in 2029.

2018

CHSRA pushed the estimated costs of the project and delayed the initial service

CHSRA pushed estimated costs of the project to between US$ 63.2bn and US$ 98.1bn (YOE)., and delayed initial service to 2029, with Los Angeles to San Francisco service in 2033.

However, the agency said that the environment reviews for the entire San Francisco to Anaheim route would continue.

Jan 2020

California approves of US$1.6Bn bullet train

The California High-Speed Rail Authority is going forward with a potential $1.6 billion Request for Proposals process for a 30-year track and systems contract for the beleaguered and scaled-back Northern-to-Southern California bullet train project, despite previous objections from the Federal Railroad Administration.

The authority issued the request to three design-build groups on Dec. 19, one day after the California High-Speed Railway Authority CEO Brian Kelly said it received the FRA’s letter stating it would not approve the RFP as written. The administration raised more than one objection to the authority’s plans to issue such a large contract when it was still, according to the Federal Railroad Administration, still struggling with delays related to ongoing construction and had failed to demonstrate funding commitments for the new work.

Kelly stated before the board members that the authority would reach out to the FRA to look into its concerns and discuss potential RFP changes, which mainly pertained to technical elements.

Also Read: Virgin US$4.8Bn Bullet train construction to start in 2020.

Further info about the project:

The Northern-to-Southern California bullet train will have a total cost of US$77 billion. However, soon after the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom took office last year, he temporarily put away all but the 119-mile, $10.6 billion part of the route between Bakersfield and Merced.

The current firms that are running for the project are The Weitz Company LLC, Bombardier Transportation (Global Holding) UK Limited, Fluor Enterprises Inc., and Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc, among several others.

The track is expected to cover future tracks from San Jose to Bakersfield, more than half the proposed Los Angeles-to-San Francisco system. The bullet train project obtained two grants previously during the Obama administration for a total of about $3.5 billion. In early 2019, the U.S. Department of Transportation ended a 2010 grant for $929 million that had not been spent. Under the federal grants, the state has to complete 119 miles of rail structures and install the tracks in the Central Valley by 2022, but there is no requirement for electrical power, signals or a maintenance facility.

March 2020

CHSRA released Draft Environmental Impact Report for the projects Bakersfield to Palmdale section

The CHSRA has just released the first Draft Environmental Impact Report for the California High-Speed Rail (CHSR) project. The document, which covers the 80-mile stretch of the project from Bakersfield to Palmdale, will be open for public comment starting on Friday, February 28th.

The Bakersfield to Palmdale Project Section will provide a connection from the Central Valley to the Antelope Valley and Los Angeles County, closing the existing passenger rail gap between Northern and Southern California through the Tehachapi Mountains, as well as providing new opportunities for economic development and revitalization in the cities along this corridor.

Attainment of environmental clearance on schedule

The approximately 80-mile project section will travel through or near the communities of Bakersfield, Edison, Tehachapi, Rosamond, Lancaster, and Palmdale with stations in Bakersfield and Palmdale.

The approved Bakersfield Station and the proposed Palmdale Station would maximize ridership, work in coordination with local land use planning and provide multi-modal transportation options, including a potential connection with Brightline Trains in Palmdale. With the release of this Bakersfield to Palmdale Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS), the Authority remains on track to complete environmental clearance for the full Phase 1 system by the federally mandated 2022 deadline.

From Friday, February 28, 2020, through Friday, April 13, 2020, the Bakersfield to Palmdale Project Section Draft EIR/EIS is available for a 45-day CEQA and NEPA review and public comment period. In conjunction with the public review period for the document, the Authority will hold a public hearing to take public comment.

Comments received regarding environmental issues will be reviewed and responded to as required by law. The final EIR/EIS document for Bakersfield to Palmdale will be issued in 2021.

Feb 2021

Section of California high-speed train faces US$800 Mn overrun

A section of the California high-speed train through the San Joaquin Valley has stumbled upon yet another troubling and costly hurdle in the project after a contractor gave assurances that it could be constructed at a much cheaper price with radical design changes. The segment runs across rivers, migratory paths for endangered species, and an ancient lake bed through the length of Kings County, a fertile agricultural belt south of Fresno.

In 2014, when the California High-Speed Rail Authority awarded the contract, it went with the lowest bidder, Dragados, a Spanish company that promised US$300 million in cost savings by altering the design that the authority had proposed to regulators. Seven years later, these changes have been largely abandoned and have contributed to more than US$800 million in cost overruns on the Kings County section.

Also Read: California high-speed rail construction deadline postponed further

In addition, the California High-Speed Rail Authority awarded the contract without first completing a scientific assessment of how sinking land in the area; a result of decades of excessive groundwater pumping, could affect the rail route. The state is currently paying tens of millions of dollars to raise track embankments over 21 miles.

Today, Dragados has not started construction on about half of its bridges and viaducts, four years after the original deadline of 2017, and it had completed less than 50% of its planned work by December, according to rail authority progress reports. The rail authority bears a share of responsibility, having failed to deliver 278 of 998 parcel land purchases needed for construction.

California’s high-speed rail endeavour still has support from Governor Gavin Newsom and other state leaders, who hope it will ultimately relieve congested airports, spur economic development in the Central Valley and provide a cleaner alternative for linking the Bay Area, the Central Valley, and Southern California. But with continued cost increases and delays, the project potentially could run out of money before an initial 171-mile line from Merced to Bakersfield is completed. The Dragados segment, which is part of that initial line, is just part of the problem.

The State of California asked for an extension to the deadline of the project

EIR/EIS approved for Burbank – Los Angeles high-speed rail section

The state of California announced that they would need to postpone the construction deadline for the high-speed rail project by asking the Biden administration for a one-year extension on completing construction on a section of track in the Central Valley.

The state now expects to complete construction on a 119-mile segment of track from Bakersfield to Madera in the Central Valley by 2023.

A portion of the funds is tied to meeting a federal 2022 deadline, prompting the request for an extension. The budget for that segment of track is expected to jump from US$ 12.4bn to US$ 13.8bn according to Brian Kelly, the project’s chief executive officer.

April 2021

California bullet train project faces further possible delays

The California bullet train project has announced that they are expecting the date of completion to be pushed to at least April of 2025 for the 65-mile section of the line in Kings County, nearly two years after the date the state included in a business plan adopted last week.

It’s yet another setback for the project that’s been mired in pushed deadlines and cost overruns for a project that voters in 2008 approved; a bond for the rail line, eventually aimed at connecting Los Angeles to San Francisco. The newest problem could again further increase costs and jeopardize the state’s funding plan to complete a partial operating system between Bakersfield and Merced by 2030.

Also Read: Aramis Solar Energy Generation and Storage project given green, California

A letter from a construction team headed by the Spanish firm Dragados notifying the California High-Speed Rail Authority of the latest delay for the planned bullet train stated a complaint that the rail authority’s failure to accurately predict land acquisition has tangled construction schedules and caused fitful conditions along the route.

Dragados said it has had to hire workers as land becomes available and then lay them off as it awaits new parcels. It said that “trepidation” among subcontractors and suppliers is resulting in a higher risk that must be priced into bids for work.

Joe Hedges, the chief operating officer at the rail authority, downplayed the letter in an interview with a local newspaper. He called it part of a back-and-forth bargaining process normal in the construction industry. “The completion date of 2025 is subject to negotiation and the delays can be mitigated,” he said.

The chief operating officer also disputed Dragados’ complaints about faulty state land forecasts. Land acquisition has been a monumental hurdle for the project since 2012. In Kings County, the rail authority still needs 264 more parcels, but in January it acquired only nine. At that rate of progress, it would take 2½ years just to buy the land.

CHSRA appeals for a US$ 4.1bn bond to fund the completion of the 119 miles of track in the Central Valley

The California High-Speed Rail Authority presented the latest change on how to pay for the project; using bond money. The authority appealed for US$ 4.1bn to fund the completion of the 119 miles of track in the Central Valley.

The changes to the project’s business and funding plan will now go to a peer review group and state lawmakers for approval. The rail authority’s board voted to advance the new business and funding plan with the understanding that it must go through multiple other reviews and public comments.

Voters in 2008 approved a nearly US$ 10bn bond, with most of the money dedicated to “establish high-speed train service linking Southern California counties, the Sacramento/San Joaquin Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area.”, but rail officials now want to take most of what’s left, about US$ 4.1bn, to finish the 119-mile segment of track from Madera to Bakersfield.

That segment will run and test trains until a larger, 171-mile track is completed for passenger service from Bakersfield to Merced. Trains aren’t expected to be in service for passenger use until 2029.

Stuart Flashman, a lawyer in several cases against the project, however, stated that spending the rest of the money on the 119-mile segment of track in the Central Valley did not meet the original aims of the bond.

“Both the funding plan and the business plan continue to double down on the board’s decisions to build a part of a Central Valley segment that is still not going to be a usable segment,” said Flashman.

Brian Kelly, the project’s chief executive officer, on the other hand, said that there was no question that they were hit, but it was important to note, “especially when you see the impacts of COVID-19 on the economy and jobs broadly, that this enterprise is creating jobs.”

July 2021

New plans unveiled for the San Francisco to San Jose section

Caltrain HSR Compatibility Blog: The Overtake That Won't Be

New, revised California high-speed rail plans were unveiled particularly for the San Francisco to San Jose section. The revision included changes to the Millbrae station and the reconfiguration of various areas along with the infrastructure.

After this project, the section began moving toward construction, and the environmental process began to study and identify the infrastructure needed on top of the electrification to add high-speed rail service in the corridor, as well as including safety modifications.

In the summer of 2020, the CHSRA published its draft environmental document for this project section looking at the needed infrastructure and modifications at the Millbrae station. However, after receiving the stakeholders’ feedback and concerns, the authority looked at another option called the Millbrae Station Reduced Site Plan Design Variant or RSP Design Variant.

The RSP Design Variant preserves the design of the high-speed rail tracks and platforms but reconfigures station facilities, parking, and station access. This will reportedly reduce impacts on existing and planned development and reduce the footprint on the west side of the station.

It differs from the design of the Millbrae Station evaluated in the previous draft, by eliminating surface parking lots on the west side of the alignment that would have served as replacement parking for displaced Caltrain and Bay Area Rapid Transit parking spaces, relocating the new high-speed rail station entrance hall, eliminating the California Drive extension north of Linden Avenue to El Camino Real and eliminating lane modifications to El Camino Real from the project.

Dec 2021

The court ruled that the project’s construction plan was not violating the state constitution.

A lawsuit that was meant to stop California’s high-speed rail scheme was again turned down in a state court, with the 3rd District Court of Appeals in Sacramento ruling the scheme’s segmented construction plan did not violate the state constitution.

The suit alleged that the scheme violated portions of the 2008 bond act to fund development that stated the money would be spent only for segments “ready and suitable for high-speed train operation,” because some money was being used on bits of the system that will be shared with conventional rail operations in Southern California and the Bay Area.

March 2022

CHSR Project receives approvals for the 14-mile Burbank to Los Angeles section

California High-Speed Rail (CHSR) Project has received approval for the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for the approximately 14-mile Burbank to Los Angeles section. The section is a part of the first phase (San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim) and received unanimous approval from the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) Board of Directors.

The EIR/EIS reportedly analyzed a broad range of potential impacts during the construction and final operations phase of the system. These include transportation, public utilities, air quality, noise and vibration, safety, equity, parks, aesthetics, and cultural resources, among many others. The Authority’s team also studied local plans to look at existing and planned facilities that might be impacted.

The board is now set to assess the final environmental documents for the San Jose to Merced, and San Francisco to San Jose sections in April and June of 2022, respectively. That would leave the environmental clearance of two segments on the entire phase remaining. These segments are Palmdale-to-Burbank and L.A.-to-Anaheim.

Setting new milestones

The board’s actions mark new milestones for the CHSR Project. On the one hand, it marks the second certification of an environmental document in the Southern California region and the first in the Los Angeles Basin.

Speaking on the new achievement, CHSRA CEO Brian Kelly said, “Today’s approval represents a historic milestone, and brings us closer to providing the first high-speed rail system in the United States. “We appreciate the continued support and collaboration with local and regional agencies and stakeholders as we work together to improve transportation in California.”

The Burbank to Los Angeles section will connect the high-speed rail system from a new Hollywood Burbank Airport Station to the existing Los Angeles Union Station, providing an additional link between Downtown Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. The alignment for this project will primarily use the existing railroad right-of-way adjacent to the Los Angeles River through the cities of Burbank, Glendale, and Los Angeles.

April 2023

Project Progressing

Construction is underway for California High-Speed Rail (CHSR), a project set to open in 2030. The rail line will span 171 miles from Merced to Bakersfield, reaching speeds of up to 220 mph.

By integrating improvements to commuter rail lines at both ends, the goal is to enable high-speed trains to complete the 350-mile journey between Los Angeles and San Francisco in just two hours and 40 minutes.

CHSR has faced challenges since its proposal in 1996, including route disagreements, management issues, delays in land acquisition and construction, cost overruns, and insufficient funding.

Despite these obstacles, the project is expected to bring economic benefits, reduce pollution and congestion, and already employs around 10,000 people.

The estimated cost ranges from $63 billion to $98 billion, connecting six of California’s largest cities and providing equivalent capacity to 4,200 miles of new highway lanes, 91 additional airport gates, and two new airport runways, which would cost between $122 billion and $199 billion.

With California’s projected population growth to over 45 million by 2050, high-speed rail is seen as a valuable solution to prevent the state from becoming overwhelmed by pollution and traffic.