Environmental Review for Light Rail Through The Valley Approved

The B Line subway includes two stops in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, but other than that, commuter rail and buses are the only options for transit. New light rail plans could change that.

1 minute read

December 7, 2020, 11:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (Metro) Board of Directors recently voted to certify the final Environmental Impact Review (EIR) for a light rail route that will run north-south through the San Fernando Valley (The Valley) in Los Angeles, according to an article by Dave Sotero for Metro's The Source.

The planned East San Fernando Light Rail Project would connect the G Line bus rapid transit route (formerly known as the Orange Line) to the Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink Station, with 14 stations built along the way.

The project would be funded by Measure M locally, along with Prop 1B funding from the state of California, "and could be well-positioned to compete if any federal funding opportunities become available," according to Sotero.

According to Sotero, the EIR approved by the Metro Board includes provisions that will enable the route to be built in segments, starting potentially as early as next year on the first 6.7-mile segment between the G Line in Van Nuys to San Fernando Road in Pacoima.

Thursday, December 3, 2020 in The Source

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today