The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has broken ground on the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project.
The 6.7-mile line is planned to run along Van Nuys Boulevard, reconnecting communities in the northern San Fernando Valley with rail service.
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It will introduce 11 new stations along the corridor, enhancing links to the G Line, major local bus routes and the Metrolink/Amtrak station in Van Nuys.
According to Metro, the project is designed to support neighbourhoods including Van Nuys, Panorama City, Arleta and Pacoima by improving access to employment centres, schools, hospitals and retail corridors.
Alongside the railway itself, the development will deliver streetscape and sidewalk improvements, safer pedestrian crossings and upgraded roadway design throughout the corridor.
Metro stated these enhancements aim to benefit all area residents, especially the almost one in five households along the route that do not own a car.
Completion of the project is scheduled for 2032, which will ultimately enable direct rail connections from the northern and central San Fernando Valley to Los Angeles’ Westside, once linked with the future Sepulveda Transit Corridor rail line.
Additional plans include a new Metrolink station in Pacoima to serve the Antelope Valley Line.
Metro highlighted the corridor’s heavy reliance on public transport, with existing Metro bus routes 233 and 761 on Van Nuys Boulevard reporting nearly 20,000 boardings in September alone.
The new rail service is expected to further expand capacity and regional connectivity.
The East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project is funded by a mix of federal, state and local sources, including revenues from Measure M, the countywide sales tax measure approved by voters in 2016.
The idea for enhanced north-south Valley transit service first appeared in 2008’s Measure R as plans for bus lane improvements, but ultimately evolved into a full light rail line following input from the community and elected leaders.
A dedicated rail yard for the line’s rolling stock will be built in Van Nuys, west of Van Nuys Boulevard and bounded by Keswick Street, Raymer Street and the Pacoima Wash.
Meanwhile, significant upgrades to other Metro services are under way in the Valley, including enhancements to the G Line with new over crossings on Van Nuys and Sepulveda boulevards, as well as the installation of railroad-style crossing gates at key intersections.
Bus service improvements on Roscoe and Nordhoff Streets are also being implemented as part of Metro’s broader focus on transit accessibility.
