Transportation
Los Angeles Light Rail Project Wins $893M Federal Grant
The 6.7-mile-long line will extend Metro's light rail system into the San Fernando Valley.
Rendering courtesy LA METRO
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has been awarded a $893-million grant from the U.S. Dept. of Transportation for the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project, a 6.7-mile-long, at-grade light rail line into the San Fernando Valley area.
When completed, the $3.57-billion project will create connections with new and existing regional transit services including Metrolink, Amtrak, Metro G Line, Metro B Line, and other planned Metro projects.
The funding, announced on Sept. 6, are part of the Federal Transit Administration's Expedited Project Delivery (EPD) pilot program. It is FTA's first grant under the program.
Metro is currently conducting advanced utility adjustment work for the project. Utility work and minor street improvements along Van Nuys Boulevard are expected to start later this year. The project is slated to open in 2031.
Construction is being led by San Fernando Transit Constructors (SFTC), a joint venture between Stacy and Witbeck and Skanska, with AECOM serving as engineer.
A joint venture between Arcadis and Mott MacDonald (AMM) is providing construction management support services for Metro’s progressive design-build delivery.
The project will include 11 stations, 10 traction power substations, street improvements, and a maintenance service facility that stretches over 21 acres. Several buildings within the facility will use solar photovoltaic power and excess power storage systems.
The rail line is being constructed along Van Nuys Boulevard, one of San Fernando Valley’s busiest corridors. It will provide new light rail alternatives for the residents in the cities of Van Nuys, Panorama City, Arleta and Pacoima. The project is designed to offer stops at street level, something that has not been seen in the area since the last Pacific Electric Red Cars discontinued service along portions of Van Nuys Boulevard in 1952.
Metro says the project will bring mobility options to underserved communities in Eastern San Fernando Valley, where approximately 19% of households do not own a car and depend on public transportation.
"Thirty-five percent of households in the East San Fernando Valley depend on Metro for their transportation, and the East San Fernando Valley Line will give them faster and more efficient service than ever before,” said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins in a news release.
Another 2.5-mile segment is planned to further extend the rail line from Pacoima to the Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink Station. Design options for that project segment are now under study and will be built in the second project phase.
