Angels Flight Funicular, California

Los Angeles’ landmark Angels Flight Funicular resumed passenger services in 2017, after a nearly 4-year shutdown. The project was a private-public partnership between SENER, ACS, LA Metro and the City of Los Angeles. It was the first P3 transit project that LA Metro and the City had entered into and was modeled after SENER’s previous experience on similar types of contracts.

The project came with a number of challenges:

• A six-month timeline on a project in full public view

• Careful coordination with local, state and federal government regulatory agencies to adhere to rules required for transit systems and registered national historic landmarks

• The first P3 transit project in Los Angeles

• Important safety modifications including the addition of a walkway alongside the track, taller passenger access doors on the vehicle and a new safety rope carrier brake

SENER provided preliminary engineering services including the initial safety, operational and feasibility studies to return the system to passenger service and developed the Safety Certification Plan and the Safety Certification Verification Report in accordance with regulatory requirements. SENER also provided project management and systems engineering, integration and construction phase engineering services. SENER managed and supervised all systems testing to gain appropriate operating permits and certifications. The firm continues as a member of the operating consortium and provides technical and engineering support as part of its commitment to the long-term success of the project.