INGLEWOOD – The city of Inglewood has revised its construction cost estimates along with pushing back the proposed opening date of the Inglewood Transit Connector (ITC).
Although the ITC was anticipated to begin service for the 2028 Olympics, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has pushed that date to 2030 after pledging half the construction costs
“It’s [ITC] is going to improve the fan experience,” said Inglewood Mayor James Butts, who has championed the project. “Fans, our residents, and the employees deserve affordable and efficient transit options. This system will be good for the environment. It will again create jobs.”
The project was initially pegged at a price tag close to $3 billion but documents published to the FTA’s website indicate the costs were reduced.
“The City has worked with the FTA to establish a $2.2B budget,” said Lisa Richardson, a public relations specialist with the project.
The City initially requested 60% of the construction costs, approx. $1.6 billion, however, the project is set to receive $1,009,430,998 from the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grant program.
“FTA’s commitment of $1.009 billion by FTA, coupled with the $873 million already secured, represents $1.9 billion for the Project. In addition, $200M is reserved for unforeseen events that exceed the contingencies built into our project budget,” said Richardson. “This means the project has approximately 85% of the funds needed for the project. The ITC JPA is optimistic that it will be able to secure the remaining funds this year.”
It is unclear how they have 85% of costs needed when they are still 50% short of construction costs.
Between now and late September, the City expects to have expenditures of approximately $283 million for consulting costs, property acquisition for right-of-way, design and construction mobilization and start-up and administrative costs.
To ensure they receive the federal funding, the city of Inglewood and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority must clear several more hurdles, including securing the other half of the money and making substantial progress to prepare the project for construction.
The project documents published to the FTA’s website don’t indicate how they achieved the cost savings.
Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled his proposed budget on Jan. 10 that indicates funding for transportation-related projects delays $1 billion of formula Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program grant funding from 2024-25 to 2025-26 budget, leaving $1 billion for this program in 2024-25.
Inglewood is optimistic the state will send the remaining funds needed to start construction.
“The City has partnered with Caltrans to apply for a “Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant” made available through the USDOT, in addition to working with the South Bay Council of Government and the CA Transportation Commission to draw down additional funds that may be available,” said Richardson.
She declined to answer questions on whether Inglewood taxpayers will be asked to share any of the construction costs considering they are already obligated to spend $10 million annually towards ongoing maintenance and operation costs pegged at $33 million, according to the FTA.