Light Rail Recommended for the San Fernando Valley

Los Angeles Metro staff recently completed a draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report on the East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor Project. The draft EIS/EIR recommends a 9.5-mile light rail route connecting the Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink Station to the Metro Orange Line via Van Nuys Boulevard and San Fernando Road.

Antonio Pacheco reports on the details of the planned project, noting its potential to transform transit infrastructure San Fernando Valley, currently including two subway stops and a bus rapid transit corridor in addition to typical bus service. "With a bit of luck, the proposed route also has the potential to definitively link the valley with the rest of Los Angeles, depending on which alignment is chosen for other forthcoming high-profile project routes," reports Pacheco, referring to the Sepulveda Pass project, which could someday connect the valley to the city's Westside along the I-405 alignment.

The Metro Board is expected to consider the recommendations of the draft EIR/EIS before the end of the month.