Airport Authority Awards Construction Contracts for Regional Intermodal Transportation Center

Action Follows $82.2 Million Airport Revenue Bond Sale to Finance Project

The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority today voted to award contracts totaling $81,179,000 to build the first phase of a Regional Intermodal Transportation Center (RITC) at Bob Hope Airport that will bring Airport patrons and multiple transportation modes together at a single location with easy access to and from the passenger terminal. The transportation center is scheduled to open in summer 2014.

“This is an important day for Bob Hope Airport. The RITC is the largest single capital project ever undertaken by the Authority, but more importantly, we believe it points the way toward a future marked by increased integration of the Airport into the very fabric of surface transportation in our region,” said Airport Authority President Don Brown.

“The RITC will enable people to have more choices of modes of transportation, public and private, to get to and from the Airport and help lessen traffic demand on nearby roadways.  This is truly an example of increased efficiency and customer service contributing to sustainability in the long run,” Brown added.

The RITC will be located along Empire Avenue, directly across from the Bob Hope Airport Train Station, and will include a three-level consolidated rental car facility; a rental car customer service building; a ground level bus transit station; and an elevated covered moving walkway to the terminal building. A separate parking structure will be built to replace auto parking spaces currently located on land that will become the site of the center.

The Authority will finance the project through multiple sources including General Airport Revenue Bonds, Passenger Facility Charges, Customer Facility Charges, Federal Grants, and Authority funds.  On May 2, 2012, the Authority took advantage of a low interest rate environment for issuance of its 2012 Series Bonds and was able to lock in pricing of $82,165,000 in bonds at an effective rate of 5.64%.  This low borrowing cost reduced the annual debt service to be paid by the Authority by approximately $1,250,000 from the project budget. 

Groundbreaking was early July.
Upon completion in mid-2014, the RITC will provide seamless connectivity for airport passengers, train passengers, bus transit passengers, rental car customers, and bicyclists. In addition, because the structure is being placed on base isolators, users of the facility will be protected from the effects of a major seismic event, and the facility will have the capacity to serve as a command center for emergency operations. 

Details about the project components are as follows:
Regional Intermodal Transportation Center (RITC) – This 520,000 square foot structure will accommodate nine rental car brands currently serving Bob Hope Airport customers.  The three-level Consolidated Rental Car Facility will provide easy access ready return space, quick turn-around maintenance bays, fueling and car wash capabilities on each level, as well as a customer service building. 

A Bus Transit Facility will accommodate local and regional transit vehicles.  The open-air design will be the architectural feature of the structure complemented by 16 three-story art panels which will enhance the passers-by experience.
As a result of a partnership with the City of Burbank, solar panels generating about 1.5 megawatts of clean energy will be installed on top of the RITC, which is consistent with the City’s compliance with sustainable energy goals set for 2030.

Elevated Walkway – This 19-foot high covered elevated walkway will connect the RITC and the airport terminal with moving sidewalks that span 1,100 feet and allow for safe and efficient transport of airport passengers to the terminal and a ground transport center where off-airport shuttles will offer service to public transportation facilities such as the Burbank Metrolink Station and the North Hollywood Red Line Station. The transport center will also provide bicycle storage areas.

Replacement Parking Structure – This five-level facility will replace approximately 1,043 parking spaces that will be displaced by the combined footprints of the RITC and the Elevated Walkway.
Site Work – This element consists of underground utilities infrastructure work, relocations of wet and dry utilities, and hardscape and landscape work (the landscape plan is subject to final approval and acceptance by the Burbank City Council).
Off-Site Improvements – These improvements include the installation of new traffic signals, synchronization of traffic signals, a new pedestrian crosswalk and off-airport signage.
       
In addition to improving transportation options, the RITC is being designed to resist large earthquakes and will have the potential to serve as an emergency response center, when rail and aviation access to the region would play vital roles.

Notices to proceed are anticipated to be issued by June 2012 with a 24-month construction schedule.  An Owner Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP) is in place for the project and the management consultants are committed to SAFETY FIRST!