Shant Boyajian

Shant Boyajian advises public agencies on a wide range of innovative methods to procure and deliver the nation’s largest, most complex infrastructure projects. Clients have found tremendous value in his deep experience in procurement, contract negotiation and implementation of public-private partnership (P3) delivery methods, including revenue risk and availability payment models, pre-development agreements, and other forms of alternative delivery, such as construction manager/general contractor and design-build.

He is also one of the nation’s leading experts in the policy issues behind infrastructure strategy, having previously served as Senior Counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, where he led the development of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which provided more than $300 billion in funding for surface transportation programs. Prior to his position in the Senate, Shant served as Counsel to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, where he helped negotiate and draft the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act – the surface transportation authorization bill for fiscal years 2013 and 2014.

Experience

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) – Sepulveda Pass Rail Transit Project. Leader of the legal team engaged to implement Metro’s first application of the Pre-Development Agreement (PDA) delivery method for the approximately $6 billion to $10 billion Sepulveda Pass Transit Project to connect the San Fernando Valley with Los Angeles’ Westside, integrating into the East-West SFV LRT, the Orange Line, the Purple Line and the Expo Line. This is a first-of-its-kind project in two key respects: (1) LA Metro contracted with two developers under separate PDAs running in parallel tracks with different technology solutions and (2) this is the first transit PDA in the nation. Shant’s services include drafting the pre-development agreement, assisting with the procurement and commercial close, advising on all aspects of project implementation and providing strategic counsel.

LA Metro – East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor Project. Co-leader of the legal team advising on the progressive design-build delivery of the $3.6 billion 6.7 mile at-grade light rail transit line between LA Metro’s “G” Line (Orange) in Van Nuys to San Fernando Road in Pacoima. The new transit line will include 14 new stations, traction power substations and a new Maintenance & Storage Facility. The project also includes a public-private partnership component and is the only project to receive funding under the Federal Transit Administration’s Expedited Project Delivery pilot program.

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) – Link Union Station (Link US) Project. Key member of the legal team advising on the agency’s CM/GC project to convert LA’s Union Station from a “stub-end” to a “run-through” station. The project will increase operational capacity to meet the demands of the regional rail system and provide full multimodal connectivity between light rail, subway, commuter and intercity rail with local, regional and intercity bus services and shuttle services. The project will proceed in two phases. Phase A will include modifications to platform 4 at Union Station and construction of a viaduct across the 101 freeway to ultimately accommodate 10 run through lines; Phase B will include raising the entire track yard at Union Station to enable 10 run through tracks across the 101 freeway.

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority – Green Line Extension Project. Member of the legal team that advised on 5-mile extension of the Green Line light rail. The agency retained Nossaman to examine the deployed construction manager/general contractor delivery method, consider alternatives and make recommendations on the optimal delivery method going forward. Following the termination of existing contracts, we guided them on the procurement for a design-build contract to complete the project, which included the use of an affordability limit and identified six prioritized scope additives. The project was completed in December 2022. Shant’s services included assisting in drafting the procurement documents, including the Instructions to Proposers and the Design-Build Contract. He also included drafting manuals and related materials to guide the agency’s evaluation of statements of qualification and proposals. Shant supervised and supported the agency’s selection committee and technical advisors during the proposal evaluation and selection process.

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development – I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Public-Private Partnership Project. Leader of the legal team advising on the LA DOTD’s second P3 project. The project includes design and construction of a new six-lane bridge on Interstate 10 over the Calcasieu River, development of a new toll system, modification and relocation of existing roadways and demolition and removal of the existing bridge. This design-build-finance-operate-maintain project has a capital cost of more than $2 billion. Shant’s services include leading development of the Comprehensive Agreement, assisting with the procurement and advising on all aspects of implementation of the project.

Denver International Airport – Jeppesen Terminal Redevelopment Project (Great Hall Project). Member of the legal team that advised the City and County of Denver on the $1.8 billion P3, which included a multi-faceted upgrade of Denver International Airport's Jeppesen Terminal and the development and management of a new concessions program within the terminal. The project combined an availability structure with shared revenue risk on the concessions program. Shant’s services included helping to draft the development agreement drafting ancillary agreements and supporting the activities leading to Financial Close.

Harbor Department of the City of Los Angeles (Port of Los Angeles) – Pier 500 Project. Co-leader of the legal team advising the Port of Los Angeles on the procurement and development of its Pier 500 Project, currently anticipated to be delivered through a public-private partnership. Pier 500 will be a new stand-alone marine container terminal located on the tip of Terminal Island and will provide a 200-acre site with two new berths and approximately 3,000 linear feet of new available wharf. Our role currently includes advising the client on all aspects of the procurement strategy, developing procurement and contract documents and performing associated due diligence.

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) – Government Relations. Represents LA Metro before the U.S. Congress, the White House and Executive Branch agencies on federal funding, financing and policy issues relating to project development, infrastructure, transportation, workforce, equity and technology. Shant has played an instrumental role in supporting LA Metro’s capital program delivery, including advising on LA Metro’s funding under the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants Program. Shant’s services also include advising on federal funding and financing mechanisms to support project goals, creating comprehensive legislative and policy strategies, coordinating complex advocacy campaigns, drafting legislative language and advocacy materials, developing coalitions and leading engagement efforts with policymakers.

Publications

Blog Posts

Speaking Engagements

News

Podcasts

Community & Professional

Transportation Research Board, Member of Committee on Contract Law

Coalition for America's Gateways and Trade Corridors, Board Member and co-chair of Reauthorization Working Group

American Road & Transportation Builders Association, Reauthorization Task Force and Board Member, Public-Private Partnership Division

Honors & Recognitions

Listed, The Legal 500 United States, Industry Focus - Finance - Project Finance - Advice to Sponsors, 2024-2025

Included in Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch for Construction Law and Project Finance Law, 2021-2025

Named a Rising Star by the Armenian Bar Association, 2022

Named a Rising Star in Transportation by Law360, 2022

Member, Law360 Practice Group of the Year, Transportation, 2016-2020

Member, Law360 Practice Group of the Year, Project Finance, 2018