The extension of the Orange Line busway from Canoga Park to Chatsworth is scheduled to open in 2012. On Thursday, Metro awarded a contract for much of the work that needs to be completed. Here’s the memo from Metro CEO Art Leahy’s daily email to staff:

Yesterday, we issued Brutoco Engineering & Construction, Inc. a Notice of Award in the amount of $82.5 million for the design and construction of the four-mile busway extension for the Metro Orange Line (MOL). The contract includes: four new stations; new platforms at Canoga Station; grade-separation structure over active railroad tracks and Lassen Street providing direct access into the Chatsworth Metrolink Station; a bicycle/pedestrian path connecting to an existing path at Brown’s Creek; a park/ride lot at Sherman Way Station; expanded parking at Chatsworth Metrolink Station; landscaping; Los Angeles River and Santa Susana Wash bridge crossings; street improvements; and satellite bus parking facility.

The $215.6-million busway extension will be the first major transit project to open that was funded by the Measure R sales tax increase approved by Los Angeles County voters in Nov. 2008.