Smith's work transforms the landscape, as with light and heavy rail systems around the state and country. She serves as principal in charge of Nossaman's general counsel work for the Metro Gold Line Construction Authority and has been co-leader of the legal team advising the agency on projects to develop the line since 2000. Earlier this year, the 24-mile Foothill Extension opened, connecting Union Station eastward through Pasadena to the Citrus College Station in Azusa.
"It is truly amazing to go places and see that I had something to do with how they look," she said.
For client Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority's BART Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension, Smith serves as special design-build counsel for the first phase of a $2.3 billion project that links the Bay Area Rapid Transit system to the heart of Silicon Valley. Scheduled for completion this year, the line will include 10.2 miles of heavy rail infrastructure and two stations. She advised the client in structuring the design-build procurement and drafted procurement and contract documents.
"That was pretty cool," she said. "I went up to see the BART extension not long ago, and it is fascinating to see BART move outside its original jurisdiction to connect riders to Silicon Valley."
For private client Caruso Affiliated Holdings LLC, Smith is advising on its Pacific Palisades Village redevelopment, a project that got final approval in June. In Orange County, Smith serves as co-leader of the legal team engaged as part of the county's transportation authority program management to advise on procurement of a $900 million design-build contract to build a general purpose land and an express toll lane in each direction on Interstate 405 as well as the conversion of an existing high occupancy vehicle lane in each direction. The project is the largest highway upgrade in Southern California. It will relieve pressure on one of the state's most congested corridors. The design-build contract is set to be awarded in fall 2016 with construction to begin next year.
"I've been having a great time," Smith said. "I started in 1990 with the building of toll roads in Orange County and now we are widening the 405 there. You know, the Red Car system was the original mass transit. They got pulled out and everything turned into freeways and toll roads. We're living to see transit come back to L.A. There's to be a people mover at LAX that will connect to the Crenshaw Line. You're actually going to be able to get places."
Nationally, Smith is leader of the legal team advising the Maryland Transit Administration and that state's Department of Transportation on a $2 billion light rail system to ease travel between the suburbs and Washington, D.C.
— John Roemer
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