The Challenge

Develop a high speed transportation solution to some of California's most congested freeways as part of a public-private partnership to benefit five million people in Southern California. Provide a fast, high quality and cost effective service so the new system can compete with other modes of transportation, while maintaining safety, environmental friendliness, operational simplicity and reliability. Restore California's leadership position in transportation, stimulate the economy and operate a state-of-the-art transportation system within seven to 10 years.

The solution

Working with the Orangeline Development Authority, ARCADIS is responsible for leading a team of 24 private-sector firms and partnering with the Authority and its 14 member cities to plan, build and operate a 110-mile elevated, high-speed Maglev transportation system. Maglev (magnetic levitation), is a new transportation technology in which magnetic forces are used to lift and propel vehicles along an elevated guideway, operating above existing public highway and railroad rights-of-way.

The $12 billion Maglev project is a multi-phased process.  Initial service could begin as soon as 2012. The project goal is to provide service over the entire route by 2015. New housing, retail, commercial and public improvements around each of the stations along the Orangeline route, estimated to exceed $24 billion in value, will also be developed as part of the public-private partnership.

The Orangeline Maglev capacity is equal to an eight-lane freeway with a maximum speed of more than 240 miles per hour. The Maglev is able to carry freight, including container cargo, and will be connected with other rail and bus systems as well as the Palmdale Airport. The high-speed Maglev will connect Lancaster/Palmdale in the Antelope Valley to Irvine in South Orange County in less than an hour and is the first-of-its-kind in the U.S.

The Maglev's lower operating costs, higher speed, reliable performance and use of airspace above public rights-of-way will help keep commuter costs down and the project self-funded.

Services Provided by ARCADIS:

• Prime contractor, serving as the Authority's development partner and overall program manager
• Overall program, project and client management, project control and managing the financing and public-private partnership development
• Development of the Orangeline Maglev corridor, including the design, building, finance and operations of the Maglev infrastructure and the development around the 12 stations